READING FC midfielder Danny Williams is in talks with Premier League Swansea City, according to sources in South Wales.
The popular USA international – who scored against Walsall in the FA Cup on Saturday – is being heavily linked with a deadline-day move to the Liberty Stadium.
New Swans boss Francesco Guidolin is eager to replace Jonjo Shelvey – who moved to Newcastle United for £12 million – before the transfer window closes tonight.
Francesco Guidolin says a midfielder is Swansea's top priority today and Reading's Danny Williams is top of that list now with talks ongoing
— Phil Blanche (@philblanche) February 1, 2016
It is thought Royals will be tempted to sell for the right money as manager Brian McDermott has a number of options in central midfield.
Oliver Norwood, Stephen Quinn and Aaron Tsibola all play in that position, though Tshibola is sidelined again with a fresh injury suffered on his return from a three-month lay-off on Saturday.
McDermott also signed 21-year-old George Evans from Manchester City on a free last week, while Alex Fernandez is another option in the middle.
Media in Wales are now reporting that 26-year-old Williams has opened talks with the Swans, though there has been no confirmation from either club.
Reading have already sold Nick Blackman to Derby County for £4m this month, while flop Orlando Sa joined Maccabi Tel Aviv for an undisclosed fee last week and Paulo Hurtado was loaned to Vitória de Guimarães until the end of the season.
In addition to signing Evans, McDermott has bolstered his own squad with the £500,000 capture of Bournemouth striker Yann Kermorgant plus Latvia forward Deniss Rakels, who joined from Polish side Cracovia Kraków for around £400,000 last week.
However, Royals boss does not expect to sign any more players before tonight's deadline.
"I'm not sure, I don't think so but never say never,” he said. “I'll be around anyway but my honest view is we probably won't do anything."
When asked how he will be spending transfer deadline day, McDermott quipped: “Eat pizza. At Reading we always have pizza on deadline day.
“That's happened every year I've been a Reading. I don't think we ever did a deal but we always had pizza.
“But you don't want to be doing too much on deadline day. If you can avoid it, you need to get your business done before that. Who knows what will happen on Monday, we'll see.”
Meanwhile, McDermott has also denied reports in the national media stating 20-year-old centre-back Jake Cooper has held talks with Stoke City and is also wanted by West Ham.
Reading return to Championship action tomorrow night when they travel to Ipswich Town (7.45pm ko).
@Smudgersport @Charlville Looks like this Williams rumour is going to run all day, will he, won't he, leave. Bad move by the club if he goes
— SuffolkRoyal (@SuffolkRoyal) February 1, 2016
@Smudgersport if that's in a swap deal for Gylfi fine otherwise NO NO NO!!!
— Paul Tanner (@longlaneroyal) February 1, 2016
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