Everton defender Lewis Gibson is closing in on a loan move to Championship club Reading.
The ECHO understands a deal taking the 20-year-old to the Madejski Stadium will be completed early next week after manager Veljko Paunović impressed during talks.
Carlo Ancelotti rates Gibson highly and it is understood he has considered keeping him as part of his senior squad for the opening months of the season but Everton want the former Newcastle United prospect to develop in the Championship.
The centre-back will have a break clause inserted into his loan agreement with Reading to retain the option of returning to Merseyside or heading elsewhere in January.
This was the reason Gibson was left out of the Everton squad to face Salford City in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday, as players can only appear for two clubs in official matches during the competitive season.
The England under-20 international will ultimately arrive back at Finch Farm at the start of next season looking to force his way into the first-team reckoning under Ancelotti with a full campaign of senior football under his belt.
Huddersfield Town emerged as early favourites to land Gibson this summer as Everton look to find a club that mirror the style of play Ancelotti is bringing to Goodison Park.
But Reading have jumped to the front of the queue following the nature of conversations held with Paunović and Gibson will look to continue his progression after an eye-catching spell at Fleetwood Town last term.
He spent the second-half of the campaign working under Joey Barton and helped propel The Fishermen into the League One play-offs, winning six and drawing three of his nine league appearances before the outbreak of coronavirus cut-short the season.
Reading won their opening game of the Championship term 2-0 at Derby County last weekend with former Atletico Madrid midfielder Paunović appointed a fortnight earlier.
He previously spent four seasons in charge of MLS club Chicago Fire and has managed Serbia at various youth levels.
