Reading manager Paul Ince admits Southampton’s Premier League misfit Theo Walcott wanted to join the Championship high-flyers before a deal fell through, speaking to Berkshire Live.
On Thursday afternoon, Nathan Redmond announced his departure from the South Coast club. The former England U21 international joined Turkish giants Besiktas on a short-term deal after falling out of favour under Ralph Hasenhuttl.
Another seldom-seen wideman, however, will have to wait until the New Year if he wishes to follow Redmond out the door.
Walcott has not played a minute of Premier League football so far in 2021/22. And the 33-year-old, reportedly Southampton’s highest earner on £75,000-a-week, will now have no choice but to fight for his place at St Mary’s after Reading tried and failed to free Walcott from a life in the shadows.
“We were close to getting a deal for Theo Walcott,” Ince explains.
“I spoke to him. We had a good conversation. But he had a year left at Southampton and we couldn’t make the figures work, which is disappointing because the boy wanted to come.
“So now it’s a case of who’s out there on a free.”
Theo Walcott stuck at Southampton after missing out on Championship move
Reading, despite their well-publicised off-the-field issues, continue to confound expectations in the second-tier. One of the pre-season relegation favourites are currently third in the table, just two points of league leaders Sheffield United after winning five of their first eight games of the new campaign.
Walcott was also a deadline day target for Cardiff City. Plus, a West Brom side performing well below expectations despite some eye-catching summer arrivals.
Per Telegraph reporter John Percy, the Baggies could instead bring free-agent Tom Rogic to the Hawthorns. The Australia international, an uber-talented playmaker with a penchant for the spectacular, is available after leaving Celtic in the summer.
“We are very sad to see both Tom and Nir (Bitton) leave the club. We totally respect their decisions in wanting to seek a different challenge,” Celtic coach Ange Postecoglou said in May.
“As well as being very talented, both Tom and Nir are top guys who have supported me brilliantly this year. Of course, we will miss them.”
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