READING boss Paul Ince has revealed the Championship side were “close” to signing Theo Walcott this summer, with the 33-year-old said to be keen on the move.

Walcott has fallen out of favour at Saints and is yet to feature for manager Ralph Hasenhuttl this campaign.

The veteran forward was not even included in the rotated matchday squad for the EFL Cup visit to Cambridge United, which saw three academy youngsters given debuts.

However, beyond the summer transfer window’s deadline day, Walcott remains on the books at St Mary’s going into the final year of his contract.

Meanwhile, the likes of Nathan Redmond have departed to Turkish side Besiktas on a permanent basis, even after the window in England had slammed shut.

“We were close to getting a deal for Theo Walcott,” said 54-year-old Ince, speaking on Thursday.

“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.”

Earlier in the window, Ince had hinted towards pursuing a target in mind – but never named it was Walcott.

The Royals, who also signed Shane Long earlier in the summer, have started the Championship season strong and sit in third after eight matches.

"I’d like to get a striker in, I’ve got one in mind but I’m not going to tell you yet - you’ll be quite surprised if I can get him in,” he said.

Now, any chance of Walcott moving to Reading before January would rely on the termination of his current lucrative Saints contract.

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