:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/47624787/GettyImages-482286592.0.jpg)
Sunderland midfielder Liam Bridcutt is on the radar of Steve Clarke and co, with injuries to Stephen Quinn and Aaron Tshibola limiting the options Reading FC's Scottish boss has available to him in the middle of the park to just Oliver Norwood, Danny Williams and Alex Fernandez.
The former Brighton defensive midfielder joined Sunderland in January 2014, with then-manager Gus Poyet describing him as "good enough to play for Real Madrid".
According to the Yorkshire Evening Post, Leeds boss Steve Evans won't have it all his own way in the race for the loan deal.
Whites head coach Steve Evans has been chasing Bridcutt for the past week and hoped to secure the loan signature of the 26-year-old in time for last Tuesday’s Championship clash with Cardiff.
The deal did not go through in time with Evans then hoping to tie up terms before Saturday’s derby at Huddersfield Town but Sunderland boss Sam Allardyce said on Thursday that the Briductt to Elland Road switch was "confused, a bit like Leeds."
And now it has emerged that Cardiff and Reading are also interested in securing the services of Bridcutt with the player and Sunderland weighing up his best option.
Bridcutt hasn't featured for Sunderland in their difficult start to the Premier League season and has only featured for the Black Cats 36 times in all competitions.
However, the 26-year-old was a player too good for the Championship in his time at Brighton and so this deal, no matter the possibility, should have Reading fans' mouths watering, especially considering Williams is now the only available muscular presence in the middle of the park.
Could it happen?
You'd be reluctant to say it's definitely on, what with Steve Clarke already having 6 loanees at the club and having to leave out one of them each match day.
In early October Steve Clarke said,
"So at the moment I would say we’re definitely not active in looking for loans, but you can never say never. It’s something you always have to have in your mind.
"But if there are no injuries or big dramas, then the squad as it is now will take us to the January window."
But with Quinn and Tshibola now definitely ruled out until the new year, he may well be looking to dip into the market.
The only other big problem is the fact that Bridcutt himself has reportedly said he wants to join Leeds.
Liam Bridcutt - wants to join #lufc and Steve Evans still hopeful of bringing him in on loan from Sunderland this week.
— Phil Hay (@PhilHayYEP) November 8, 2015
And GetReading reporter Charles Watts doesn't think there's anything in it.
From what I understand #readingfc are not looking to sign Liam Bridcutt.
— Charles Watts (@charles_watts) November 9, 2015
Whether that's the case or not only time will tell, but it would be a fantastic signing for Clarke if it comes off. It's a big if.