Reading have revealed that they will continue talks with TP Mazembe and defender Stoppila Sunzu.
The 23-year old Zambian centre-back impressed in a training stint with the Royals last week but the Premier League club will allow him to focus on the African Cup of Nations before trying to seal a deal.
"We had a very good week with him here, we had been trying to bring him across since the summer and this was the first opportunity we had. He was here as a young boy a few years ago so it was great to see him again," Reading's director of football Nick Hammond told the club's official website of the man who also trained with the club when he was a youngster some years back.
"We're very grateful to his club TP Mazembe for allowing him to train with us, they have been a pleasure to deal with throughout the entire process. Of course the same also goes for the Zambian FA who were also very gracious in allowing him to train with us so close to the start of the Cup of Nations.
"Now of course his focus will be fully on the tournament and doing well for his country, so we will continue to monitor his performances and will continue our dialogue with TP Mazembe."