“Would be hard to say no” – Reading FC fan pundit delivers verdict on potential permanent move for Stoke City man

This article is part of Football League World’s ‘Terrace Talk‘ series, which provides personal opinions from our FLW Fan Pundits regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more…

It would be hard for Reading to say no to signing Stoke City winger Tom Ince on a permanent deal if they were offered a viable opportunity to do so, according to FLW’s Reading fan pundit Johnny Hunt.

The 30-year-old has been a regular starter for the Royals since his temporary move to the Select Car Leasing Stadium in January, making 10 appearances and regularly playing a full 90 minutes, game time he wasn’t able to get at the bet365 Stadium prior to his switch.

He scored his first goal for the Berkshire outfit last week away at AFC Bournemouth, a wonder strike that helped to secure the strugglers a point in their battle against relegation to the third tier.

Although he has earned mixed reviews since his winter move, he has had some bright moments, winning a penalty on his debut and supplying an assist during the following match against Coventry.

Unfortunately for those who want to see him remain with the relegation battlers, he has only joined on a basic loan deal with no option to make the deal permanent, although he is out of contract in the summer anyway.

This could provide the Royals, who will be on a tight budget, with a genuine opportunity to recruit him on a longer-term basis and FLW’s Reading fan pundit Hunt is one supporter that would like to see this materialise.

He said: “I think with Tom Ince, he’s certainly a player that, on his day, looks good and creates chances.

“The goal he scored against Bournemouth was superb, has games where he goes quiet but then a lot of players like (John) Swift