READING FC are on the verge of discovering whether they have won the battle to sign Gary Hooper - having bagged ex-Real Madrid star Royston Drenthe already this week.

The 25-year-old Celtic hitman is due to make a decision on his future when he returns from holiday within the next few days.

Royals boss Nigel Adkins is a massive fan of the sought after striker who played under him at Scunthorpe United.

Adkins also made two failed attempts to sign Hooper when he was manager of Southampton.

But the Essex-born star seems certain to leave Parkhead this summer after rejecting a new contract and expressing his desire to move south of the border.

Reading are believed to be preparing an official bid for the �8 million-rated player, having met Hooper and his representatives at Madejski Stadium in the past couple of weeks.

Celtic have already rejected an offer of around �4.5 million from Premier League Hull City plus two seven-figure bids from Norwich City in January.

But Adkins clearly sees Hooper as the man he wants to spearhead his team's promotion charge in the Championship next season.

Whether Hooper is willing to drop down from the Scottish Premier League into the Championship remains to be seen, but sources suggest he is eager to move closer to his family in Essex.

Speaking exclusively to the Chronicle, a spokeswoman for Hooper's own website, Gary Hooper88.com, said: "Gary is still on holiday at the moment and I won't know more until he comes back.

"As far as I know, Reading haven't made an official bid for him but I believe he has talked to them.

"Nothing is concrete at the moment so we will have to wait and see."

Royals, though, have pulled off one of their biggest ever transfer coups by signing former Madrid midfielder Drenthe.

The flamboyant 26-year-old Dutch international let the cat out of the bag yesterday by posting a picture of himself wearing Royals' training kit at the Madejski Stadium on his Instagram account. Sadly, no-one from Reading FC was available to comment on the picture.

Drenthe, who spent the 2011/12 Premier League season at Everton, was picked up on a free transfer from FC Alania after they were relegated from Russia's top flight.

He flew in to London with his father and agent on Monday, passed a medical and is expected to sign a three-year deal at Madejski Stadium.

He will become Adkins second summer signing following the capture of ex-England full-back Wayne Bridge, 32, on a free transfer from Manchester City.

Royals have also been linked with 24-year-old Brighton midfielder Liam Bridcutt, Wolves striker Sylvan Ebanks-Blake, Southampton forward Billy Sharp and Danish midfielder Martin Spelmann.

Meanwhile, Fulham are believed to be eyeing Jimmy Kebe while fellow Royals winger Hal

Robson-Kanu is attracting interest from Cardiff City, Aston Villa and West Bromwich Albion.

Top earner Pavel Pogrebnyak looks certain to leave this summer as the Russian striker has a relegation clause in his contract.

Slovenian striker Robert

Beric, 22, could be another potential target for Adkins after hitting 13 goals in 32 games for champions Maribor.