READING FC are chasing highly-rated Aldershot Town youngster Idris Kanu.

The Reading Chronicle can reveal that Royals have been sending scouts to watch the teenager, who turned 17 today, for at least the past two months.

It is believed they saw him action against Boreham Wood on Saturday and would not have been disappointed as Kanu scored a superb solo goal in a 2-0 victory.

Shots boss Gary Waddock is desperate to keep hold of Kanu, who only joined the club in October following a trial at Manchester United.

But he could face a battle as a number of league clubs including Reading are lining up a big-money offer in the January transfer window.

London-born Kanu grew up in West Ham's Academy after joining them as a nine-year-old and went on to feature for the Premier League club's Under 21 side.

But he rejected a two-year scholarship with the Hammers and left aged 16.

Kanu was then picked up by Manchester United and he scored twice for their Under 18s in a 5-1 win against Middlesbrough at their Carrington training ground in September.

But even though it seemed Kanu would be offered a youth deal by United, he decided to seek first-team football elsewhere and signed for National League club Aldershot.

"We're fortunate to have signed a very talented player," said Shots boss Waddock at the time.

"We need to make sure that we help him to realise his potential but we are planning for the future."

Meanwhile, Reading are also interested in Brentford's Scott Hogan as boss Jaap Stam steps up his search for a new striker.

Hogan currently stands second in the Championship goalscoring charts with 11 in 20 appearances, with only Newcastle United's Dwight Gayle ahead of him.

The 24-year-old former Rotherham United hitman is also being linked with Norwich City, Derby County and Hull City.