Reading are in advanced talks with long-serving Premier League star Theo Walcott, who is now a free agent after departing Southampton, as reported by Hannah Perkins via her Twitter.
The Royals are looking for a new winger after Championship side Watford triggered Tom Ince’s release clause signing the 31-year-old who was a key part of the relegated side last year. And the struggling club look to reunite new manager Ruben Selles with one of his Southampton players last season as their first signing.
The Englishman spent a large portion of his career in North London with Arsenal after signing from boyhood club Southampton at the age of 16. He was an important part of the team during his 12 years with the Gunners, making 270 appearances, scoring 65 goals. The winger has been capped for England 47 times, scoring eight goals for his country and was part of the 2006 World Cup squad.
In 2018, Walcott departed Arsenal and signed for Premier League side Everton on a three-year deal with the Toffees, throughout that stint he made 77 appearances, scoring 10 goals. In 2020, he rejoined his boyhood club Southampton on loan for the season and made the switch permanent the following season. Over those two spells at St Mary’s, Walcott made 48 appearances, scoring five goals, which included a goal at the Emirates against his former employers in a 3-3 draw last season.
The news of Walcott’s talks with Reading comes after the club, who were relegated to League One, appointed last season’s interim manager for Southampton, Ruben Selles. Walcott departed St Mary’s at the expiration of his contract at the end of last season and the Saints confirmed before the end of the season that Selles would not be remaining with the club.
In a troubled season for the Saints last year, which saw them relegated to the Championship after finishing bottom of the Premier League, the 34-year-old was a bright spark in a team fighting for survival. At his age, playing out wide can sometimes be difficult and he would often be seen playing in a number 10 role behind Che Adams. His new role helped him discover a new side to himself as a player as the Saints pulled off some impressive victories and picked up vital points, Walcott would score and assist in a 3-3 draw with Tottenham Hotspur, as well as his goal against Arsenal. Before Ruben Selles’ appointment, he had started just three games for the club, but Selles would offer the player six opportunities in his first six games in charge.
Writer’s View
Walcott was a key part of Southampton last season when he was offered the chance last season. His new role as a number 10 for the club helped him discover a new side to himself, at an age where it would have been difficult to continue as a winger, losing most of his pace. The news of Walcott signing for Reading comes as a surprise, given the forward still has the ability to play at a Championship level at least, however, a reunion with Selles who gave him his chance to prove himself last season seems to be the option that is most attractive to Walcott.
