READING FC record-signing Sone Aluko cost the club £7m, Fulham CEO Alistair Mackintosh revealed.

Aluko, who has been branded a flop by numerous supporters, joined Reading from then play-off rivals Fulham in 2017.

The 29-year-old's transfer fee was kept undisclosed at the time, but reports suggested it was around the £7.5m mark.

Former Royals boss Jaap Stam insisted the fee was far lower and said Aluko would prove to be a massive benefit to his squad.

In fact, he told Reading FC: "In Sone, we welcome a quality player into our squad. With his pace and ability on the ball, he can make life difficult for every opponent we face this season and he has experience of playing at the level we want to play at.

“He poses a threat going forward, he keeps the ball well, he can play as a striker or out on the wing and I am sure he will improve us as a squad. So I’m very happy that he has chosen to join us.”

But former Hull City man Aluko failed to live up to expectations during a lacklustre season at Madejski Stadium.

His two stand-out moments came at opposite ends of the season, a scintillating performance against Derby County and a wondergoal against Queens Park Rangers in Paul Clement's first game in charge.

But the forward often found himself under scrutiny from Reading fans.

Now, as he prepares to watch his former side take on Aston Villa FC in the Championship play-off final at Wembley Stadium this weekend, Fulham CEO Mackintosh revealed why he sold Aluko to Royals.

He was quoted at Fulham Supporters' Trust AGM meeting last week as saying: "Reading’s opening offer for Sone Aluko was £1m. (It) eventually rose to £7m. We didn’t want to sell but that offer was too good to turn down.” 

Reading CEO Ron Gourlay recently admitted some of last season's new signings, which include Aluko, did not live up to the club's expectations.

He told the Reading Chronicle: "They (the new signings) were mixed.

“Not helped by some injuries, there is always a settling into the team and style of play.

“I said that we didn’t reach the level of quality on performance across the season. It’s not about one or two players, it’s about a team.

“Against the competition, you have to be united and play as a team, you have to perform to the highest of your ability week in week out or you won’t win football games.

“For a number of different reasons we didn’t do that.”

Aluko scored three goals in 40 appearances for Royals last season.

He is tied down at Madejski Stadium until 2021.