Cureton Hints At Bosman Exit

Last updated : 18 September 2002 By Rob Cooper
Cureton & Butler
In Happier Times - Cureton (left) and his strike partner Martin Butler celebrate promotion to Division One
Fans favourite Jamie Cureton could be set to leave Reading next summer on a bosman free transfer - just three years after he was signed for a bargain £250,000 from Bristol Rovers.

Manager Alan Pardew is not believed to be a fan of the player that many consider the clubs greatest asset, adding weight to the claims that Curo could be set to leave the club.

Reading Football Club have indicated that they are ready to sit down and hold talks with Jamie's agent at a later date, however, Cureton himself comfirmed: "There has not even been a whisper (from the club".

Whilst admitting that if the circumstances were right he would stay at the club Curo made it clear that should a better offer come in from elsewhere then he could leave the club.

The Royals striker added: "If the circumstances were right, everything was in place and it was the best offer around then I'd never turn it down."

The news is likely to anger fans who have been led to believe that the club would not allow one of their top players to leave again after the Darren Caskey fiasco a year ago.

However the news is sure to catch the attention of Premiership clubs, including Southampton, who will likely be queing up for Cureton's signature.

The former Norwich City and Bristol Rovers striker has repeatedly been linked with moves away from the club since a reported rift with his manager last year.

It was alleged that Cureton was not happy that Forster had signed a new deal worth more than Cureton's, this despite the fact that Fozzy had missed the whole of the previous year through injury whilst Curo had been busy putting away thirty-one goals.