TBMNamelessTBM
If Chelsea haven't offered him a contract then he is free to leave (they have just let his contact run out). If they did offer him a new deal and he turns them down, then the bosman ruling comes into play.
The two situations are the same though.
The issue is how that affects a player and development compensation.
A player can walk away whether he is offered a new deal or not, but when does compensation kick in ? That is nothing to do with Bosman.
They're not the same:
A
Chelsea offer Swift a new contract on the same or better money.....
Reading offer Swift a new contract....
Player chooses to join Reading
Chelsea will be entitled to compo
B
Chelsea decide not to offer Swift a new contract, thus making him a free agent
Reading then sign the player as a free agent
No compo is given to Chelsea
I have found two Chelsea reports which clearly state that Swift was definitely offered a new contract at the end of last season and so if he signs for us I would expect that we will have to pay substantial compensation to Chelsea.