With Reading now relegated to the Championship, their top scorer Adam Le Fondre could surely fill the void at one of the newly-promoted Premier League teams – Cardiff City, Crystal Palace, and Hull City. But will they make a bid for his services?
The Reading striker has made no secret of his frustration with being a bit-part player during the newly-relegated side’s solitary season in the Premier League.
The 26-year old made 34 league appearances last season, with 23 of them coming from the bench. He averaged 44 minutes of playing time per game during the 2012/13 Premier League campaign.
Despite the lack of starts, Le Fondre netted an impressive 12 goals and was Reading’s top goalscorer for the season – he was also named Premier League Player of the Month in January 2013.
Le Fondre previously hinted at a move if he continued to be on the bench for Reading during the tail-end of last season, and he continued to be overlooked despite a change in manager.
The disenchanted striker certainly boasts a decent goalscoring record.
Stockport County (2004 – 2007) 20 goals in 73 appearances (0.27 goals-per-game)
Rochdale (2007 – 2009) 38 goals in 105 appearances (0.36 goals-per-game)
Rotherham United (2009 – 2011) 58 goals in 105 appearances (0.55 goals-per-game)
Reading (2011-2013) 26 goals in 70 appearances (0.35 goals-per-game)
What’s more bemusing is why no newly-promoted Premier League side have made a bid for his services.
Finding a 15-goal-a-season striker is a difficult task, but Le Fondre could well be that man next season given the chance. He wouldn’t break the bank either with Reading’s asking price said to be around £3M.
So is he worth signing?
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