READING FC have played down their chances of doing any transfer business in January.

Royals are being linked with Derby County striker Chris Martin and Brentford defender Yoann Barbet.

But Barbet ruled out a switch to Madejski Stadium after Bees’ 1-0 win on Saturday, while Martin’s move appears to be way off.

And assistant boss Andries Ulderink admitted money is in short supply.

“We are still looking,” he revealed. “We are talking with the scouting team and with Ron Gourlay (chief executive) and Brian Tevreden (football director).

“At the moment it’s difficult. We can’t spend a lot of money so it’s not easy to get the players we want.”

It is thought Reading are finding it difficult to persuade players to join after slipping to 18th in the Championship table, just four points above the drop zone.

And Ulderink admitted they only want players prepared for a relegation dog-fight.

“We only want players who can really help the team straight away,” he added. “We’re not looking at the long-term because we have enough players.

“What I’ve heard is that the market is very difficult at the moment.

“It would be stupid to find players who are young and talented. For where we are now we need players with a certain mentality.”

Reading Chronicle:

Reading are targetting Derby County and Scotland striker, Chris Martin. Picture: Shaun Botterill/Getty Images.

Reading manager Jaap Stam also confirmed nothing is imminent on the transfer front.

“I don’t know how close we are,” he explained. “There is something possible, I know that, but not a lot if we’re honest.

“Everyone knows good players cost a lot of money in January.”

However, Stam suggests Royals will pull out all the stops to sign a striker before the window closes next Wednesday.

The Reading boss has been linked with 29-year-old Martin several times in the past and promotion-chasing Rams may be willing to let him go after snapping up Cameron Jerome from Norwich City.

But Sunderland manager Chris Coleman has also joined the race to sign the Scotland international, who has scored just once in 29 appearances this season.

“Chris Martin has been mentioned and hopefully we can look at several options to find right type of player,” said Stam. “We need to be certain that whoever comes in will make a difference.”

Meanwhile, Ulderink confirmed no bids had been received for Reading defender Liam Moore following recent interest from West Ham, West Brom and Brendan Rodgers’ Celtic.

“As far as I know nobody has made contact,” he stated.

“At the moment I wouldn’t sell him for £30m.”

Reading, without a win in eight Championship matches, turn their attention to the FA Cup and a fourth-round trip to Sheffield Wednesday this Friday (7.45pm).