Recently relegated Reading could lose one of their top players for next to nothing, as a release clause within Tom Ince’s contract has been revealed, reported by John Cross of The Mirror.
The winger is reportedly attracting interest from a number of the Royals’ rivals, as it has been revealed that the 31-year-old has a release clause of just £50,000. And with the figure set so low for a player of Ince’s quality and experience, many who are interested will surely be eyeing up the move for what could certainly be considered a bargain price.
Ince joined Reading last summer as a free agent following spending half of the previous season on loan from Stoke City and joined up with his father Paul Ince, who was manager of the club at the time. However, in early April, the club were handed a six-point deduction for not following an EFL-approved business plan and not long after Ince was sacked by the club. That points deduction subsequently led to relegation for the Royals.
This summer proves to be a difficult rebuild for the club as another former Stoke City figure, former coach Mark Bowen, who is now head of football operations for the side. Several senior players are set to depart the club including Scott Dann, Shane Long, Liam Moore and Lucas Joao and if reports are true, Ince could be another name headed for the exit door.
Ince made 38 appearances in the Championship this past season, scoring nine goals and providing four assists, currently, his contract runs until 2025, but that release clause is sure to be broken if reports are accurate of the interest in such a bargain acquisition.
The right winger started his career within the youth ranks at Liverpool and joined Blackpool in 2011, during his career, he has played for several clubs within the EFL, including Derby County, Nottingham Forest, Stoke City and Huddersfield. As a youth player, he has represented his country making 18 appearances at under-21 level, scoring three times, as well as four appearances at under-17 level and twice at under-19.
Writer’s View
As mentioned above, Ince is a veteran player within the EFL and if his release clause is to be broken, it is most definitely a coup for the club that does sign him. Currently, there are no clubs mentioned who are interested in the winger, but many will be keeping an eye on the situation, Reading, however, face a difficult rebuild and will certainly want to keep Ince around as they target a return to the Championship.
