John Swift has played his final game for Reading with the West Brom, Burnley and Leeds United target set to become a free agent at the end of the Championship campaign, as reported by the Berkshire Live.
Paul Ince might have succeeded in dragging a crisis-hit Reading side away from the relegation zone but, make no mistake, the biggest challenges are yet to come.
No fewer than 14 first-team players are due to become free agents over the summer. And the club’s precarious financial situation means retaining the likes of Junior Hoilett, Tom Holmes, Josh Laurent and the aforementioned Swift will be easier said than done.
According to Berkshire Live, Reading’s key players will have no choice but to accept a pay cut if they want to stay at the Madejski Stadium. The Royals are under pressure to rescue their wage bill to £16 million ahead of next season.
Swift recently suffered a calf injury that brings the curtain down on his 2021/22 campaign. It is understood that it could also bring the curtain down on his entire Reading career.
Will John Swift ever play for Reading again?
The former Chelsea youngster will be a free-agent in July. His 202nd appearance for the Berkshire-based outfit may also be his last.
And, who knows, perhaps Swift will be wearing West Brom colours the next time he takes to the field. According to the Express and Star, an underperforming Baggies side have identified the mercurial 26-year-old as a player capable of adding some much-needed ‘flair’ to Steve Bruce’s engine room.
Swift has 11 goals and 13 assists this season, even if his form has dipped since the turn of the year.
According to The Star, Wolves, Burnley and Leeds also have an interest in Swift.
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Leeds appear to have shifted their attention to Brenden Aaronson and Flynn Downes following the departure of Marcelo Bielsa – who described Swift as a ‘great player’ back in 2020 – while Wolves are also now pushing to bring in Pedrinho from Shakhtar Donetsk.
Swift’s chances of a summer switch to Turf Moor, meanwhile, could depend on the identity of Burnley’s next manager.
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