FC Porto look set to sign former Reading striker Danny Loader, according to Sky Sports and ESPN.
The 19-year-old reportedly received offers from Premier League clubs Wolverhampton Wanderers, Leeds United and Crystal Palace. However, the striker may choose options in Portgual rather than England.
Danny Loader Close to Joining FC Porto
Plenty of Offers
Loader’s contract expired with Reading at the end of last season and attracted plenty of interest.
ESPN and Portuguese news outlet O Jogo reported last week that the young striker would sign for Primeira Liga side FC Porto. The club expected the 19-year-old to sign a three-year deal.
But, recent reports from Sky Sports today suggest Loader also received offers from Sporting Lisbon and will choose between the Portuguese rivals.
Reading will not receive compensation if the striker decides to move to Portugal. The transfer would be international, therefore, no compensation would need to be paid.
Highly-Rated
19-year old Loader made 12 appearances for Reading last season, scoring one goal for the Royals.
The teenager made just 28 appearances overall for Reading. He made his debut in 2017 and scored one goal and made one assist for the Championship club.
Loader has also represented England at youth level since the age of 14. He represented England 48 times between under-16 and under-20 level, scoring 14 goals.
Loader Joins Countrymen Abroad
If Loader joins Porto or Lisbon, he will join several other young English players who switched English football for the Primeira Liga.
21-year-old Marcus Edwards came through Tottenham Hotspur’s youth ranks before moving to Portuguese side Vitoria SC in last summer’s transfer window.
22-year-old centre-back Easah Suliman followed Edwards in January 2020. Suliman also joined Victoria SC after coming through Aston Villa’s youth academy.
Eric Dier was another English player who developed in Portugal before returning to England to join Spurs.
Dier made 32 appearances for Sporting Lisbon before switching to the Premier League in 2014.
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