WATFORD have activated Tom Ince’s release clause, Reading Today understands.
The Hornets, who finished 11th in the Championship last season, appear to have triggered a relegation clause in the midfielder’s contract reported to be worth £50,000.
Norwich were also interested in the 31-year-old, but have not activated the release clause.
At the end of May, The Mirror first reported that Ince’s contract included a relegation clause that could be activated following the Royals’ relegation to League 1.
Ince joined Reading on loan in January 2022, but put pen to paper for a permanent three-year deal after being released by Stoke that summer.
Managed by his father Paul Ince, the former England youth international was the Royals’ stand-out player in the 2022/23 season, picking up nine goals and four assists.
Ince was named Reading’s Player of the Season at the club’s end of season awards.
