Reading FC face Lewis Wing exit concern - it must end one way | OneFootball

Reading should be doing all they can to keep hold of Lewis Wing, who has been in sensational form for the Royals throughout the 2025/26 season.

To say that Reading's season fizzled out in disappointing fashion would be a statement that many of the club's fanbase would agree with.

Despite struggling at the wrong end of the table early into the 2025/26 season in League One, the Royals fought their way back up the standings under the management of former Rotherham United and Wigan Athletic boss, Leam Richardson.

The Berkshire-based side previously occupied a spot in the League One play-offs, but were unable to hold their nerve at crucial points towards the end of this year's campaign.

Reading were winless from their last six matches in the 2025/26 season, and with four of those being defeats, it made for hugely frustrating viewing for the club's supporters, who have been through their fair share of troubles over the years.

Richardson's side ended up finishing 12th in the second tier standings, and a sizeable 12 points adrift of the top-six, which is disappointing, especially when you consider they once occupied a spot in the play-off positions.

It's set to be an interesting summer ahead at the Select Car Leasing Stadium, particularly with potential departures on the cards. Charlie Savage is one player that has been linked with a move away from the club this summer, and although it remains to be seen as to whether the Royals midfielder will depart, Leam Richardson will be eager to keep hold of his key players.

Lewis Wing catches the eye for Reading

There are a handful of Reading players that can come away with plenty of credit to their name from this year's campaign, and one of those to fall into that category is Lewis Wing.

The midfielder has been with the Royals since 2023, having previously been on the books with the likes of Rotherham United, Middlesbrough, Sheffield Wednesday, and Wycombe Wanderers earlier in his career.

The 30-year-old has occupied a slightly deeper role in the Reading team since Richardson took charge, which has been frustrating viewing for Reading's supporters, with many of them being well-aware of the threat that the midfielder has in front of goal.

Even in the slightly defensive midfielder role in the Reading team this term, Wing has still made a notable impact in attacking areas, and was desperately unlucky not to be named in the EFL League One Team of the Season.

He chipped in with 12 goals and 11 assists in all competitions for the Royals, where he's bettered his 2024/25 totals, having scored 11 goals and been on hand to provide nine assists for his Reading team-mates, as they narrowly missed out on a top-six finish, as they finished seventh in the table.

Keeping Lewis Wing should be Reading's top priority

Wing is Reading's key creative spark, and he's a class apart in League One when he's at his best. His quality on the ball is tough to rival, and it's rare that any of his goals aren't stunning strikes from distance.

It certainly wouldn't be surprising if other clubs higher up the pyramid were keen to register their interest in signing Wing this summer, and he's a player that is deserving of a shot potentially back in the Championship, having featured for Rotherham United and Middlesbrough in the second tier earlier in his career.

He's contracted with Reading until the summer of 2028, and so the Royals aren't in a rush to potentailly cash in on the former Sheffield Wednesday loanee. However, each player has a price, and if Rob Couhig feels as though any funds from Wing's sale could be reinvested elsewhere, then their stance could change in future months.

However, Reading should be doing all they can to keep hold of Wing, because if he was to depart the club, then they would have a seriously tough take in trying to replace Wing, who has been nothing short of brilliant in League One this season.

It would show a serious lack of ambition to potentially return to the Championship if Reading were to sell Wing, but if they can hold of the midfielder and build around him, then the Royals have every chance of challenging for a top-six finish this term.