Exclusive: Reading FC target set for medical as Brighton transfer swoop edges closer | OneFootball

Irish forward Mark O'Mahony's move to the SCL Stadium is nearly complete

Brighton striker Mark O'Mahony is having a medical with League One outfit Reading FC today ahead of a loan move to the SLC Stadium, sources have exclusively told Football League World.

The Royals are in rebuild mode under new owner Rob Couhig, who finally completed his takeover of the club from the maligned Dai Yongge earlier this year, and is trying to help manager Noel Hunt to create a squad capable of challenging for at least League One's play-offs.

Some key new contracts have already been agreed for the likes of Lewis Wing and Joel Pereira, whilst former Lincoln City captain Paudie O'Connor was a statement signing on a four-year deal - he's been joined by Hull City left-back Matty Jacob on a season-long loan deal as well as ex-Cambridge United goalkeeper Jack Stevens.

Reading FC closing in on Mark O'Mahony loan transfer

Signing number four could soon be arriving in Berkshire though, with FLW being told that Brighton's young Irish striker Mark O'Mahony is having a medical with Reading today (July 7) prior to completing his temporary switch to the club.

FLW first revealed last week that Reading - as well as divisional rivals Barnsley and Plymouth Argyle - had joined Leyton Orient in the race for O'Mahony's services, and a few days later, it was also exclusively revealed that it was indeed the Royals who were in pole position to land the highly sought-after deal.

Noel Hunt is now even closer to signing his fellow countryman, in what will bolster Reading's attacking unit after the exit of Jayden Wareham to Exeter City, with fellow forward Kelvin Ehibhatiomhan also not currently contracted to the club after his previous deal expired - a fresh offer remains on the table for his services however.

O'Mahony is set to drop down a division from where he plied his trade last season, having spent the campaign in the Championship with Portsmouth.

The 20-year-old, who had scored 10 times in 11 Premier League 2 matches for Brighton & Hove Albion in the previous season, as well as making three appearances for the Seagulls' first-team in the senior version of the Premier League, spent a significant portion of his time on the sidelines at Pompey through injury, but he still managed to find the back of the net three times from his 13 Championship outings.