Reading FC have potentially missed out on bringing in millions of pounds after striker Jayden Wareham has proved his worth since moving to join Exeter City last summer.
The Royals offered Wareham a contract extension to stay with the club, but the 22-year-old opted to turn down the proposal in favour of joining the Grecians. It’s understood that the club were only willing to offer Wareham a short-term deal, hence why he decided to pursue a different option.
Despite the Devonshire club enduring a tricky campaign which has seen them fighting for survival, Wareham has enjoyed an exceptional goal scoring season individually.
To date, the striker has netted 18 League One goals and 21 in all competitions. He is currently the third top scorer in the division, only behind former Reading loanee Dominic Ballard and Stockport’s Kyle Wootton.
It now appears that several League One sides and also Championship teams are monitoring his progress ahead of the summer transfer window with Exeter likely to cash in on the player due to their financial circumstances.
One Reading fan on social media said: “I would love to hear from all the Reading fans who were saying at the start of the season that Wareham was sh*te and not worthy of a multi year contract. Letting Wareham go just to bring in O’Mahony…mental.”
Meanwhile, Exeter fans have been discussing how much they believe their club should seek to get if Wareham is to depart in the summer with their League One future still in doubt.
One fan said: “He’s worth a minimum of £2. We got £1.7m for Alli, but Wareham is a far better player, scores more goals and is younger.”
Another Exeter fan added: “In a struggling team Jayden Wareham has been a massive presence and 18 goals in the league for that Exeter City side is an incredible return. Took his goals really well on Monday, holding off the defender and just being calm and composed. An absolutely brilliant season.”
