HIGHLY-rated goalkeeper Vito Mannone will have a medical at Reading FC tomorrow ahead of a £2m switch from Championship rivals Sunderland, Simon Grayson revealed.

The 29-year-old Italian will travel to Berkshire after new Black Cats' boss Grayson accepted a bid from Reading.

Mannone, who lost his spot in the first-team to Jordon Pickford last year, is understood to be keen on a move away from the Stadium of Light to secure regular first-team football.

It was thought Mannone would be Grayson's number one after Sunderland lost young sensation Pickford to Everton in a record-breaking deal, but the former Arsenal academy product was not named in Grayson's squad for tonight's fixture against Hartlepool.

And Grayson revealed Sunderland have accepted Royals' bid after Mannone told him he wanted to talk to Reading.

"We’ve agreed a fee with Reading," asserted Grayson.

"The player is going into the last year of his contract and when a suitable offers comes in you have to consider it.

"We’ve made it clear to Vito it was up to him what he wanted to do, he felt for his long-term security it was probably best to go.

"I know he’s discussing personal terms and potentially having a medical."

Reading Chronicle:

Vito Mannone in action for Sunderland. Picture: Richard Sellers/PA Wire.

Reading boss Stam was left stumped when two-time Player of the Year Ali Al-Habsi revealed he was leaving the club to return closer to home.

The Oman international joined Saudi Arabian big-spenders Al-Hilal on a three-year deal earlier this week after they triggered a £300,000 clause in his contract.

Stam, together with director of football Brian Tevreden, drew up a shortlist of eight goalkeepers, including Newcastle's Karl Darlow.

The Chronicle also revealed how Reading had submitted a bid for Fulham shot-stopper David Button, but it is understood the Cottagers have slapped a big fee on the 28-year-old which Royals will not pay.

Royals then turned their attention towards Mannone, who has made 80 appearances for Sunderland to date.

Grayson also told Sunderland Echo: "With any player, when they go into the last year of their contract, you’ve got to consider it.

"We’ll see where it goes, if it falls through for any reason Vito will be welcomed back. It was put into his hands what he wanted to do and he made the decision that he wanted to go."

Fans hit out at the news that Reading had submitted a bid for Button, insisting the Cottagers' number two would not fill the void left by Al-Habsi.

But supporters have been far more optimistic about the prospect of Manonne donning the blue and white hoops next season.

More follows.