Reading FC midfielder Andy Rinomhota is reportedly close to finalising a move to Cardiff City.
The 25-year-old’s contract with the Royals is due to expire at the end of the month, with fellow Championship side Cardiff close to securing his signature.
Rinomhota has been a target this transfer window for QPR, Bristol City and Stoke City but it appears that the Bluebirds will win the race to sign him.
It has already been a difficult start to the summer for Reading who have lost John Swift to West Bromwich Albion and Josh Laurent to Stoke City, both on free transfers after their contracts were up this month.
After joining the Reading academy from AFC Portchester in 2015, Rinomhota made his first-team debut in August 2017 against Gillingham in the EFL Cup.
He has become the heartbeat of the team in central midfield after breaking into the teamand has made a total of 125 Championship appearances for the club.
He was named as the club’s player of the season at the end of the 2018/19 season after making 26 league appearances and scoring once in his breakthrough year.
Rinomhota missed a large period of last season with injury but did play a crucial part in helping the team survive relegation under Paul Ince as he totted up 20 league games last year.
Cardiff are also in talks to try and complete what would be a remarkable signing for the free transfer of Gareth Bale.
Bale is looking for a new club after being released by Champions League winners Real Madrid this summer and may favour a return to Wales as he seeks to find fitness ahead of starring at the 2022 Qatar World Cup for his country.