Reading are confident winning the race for Valenciennes midfielder Carlos Sanchez.

The Mirror says Reading boss Brian McDermott is ready to make Colombia international Carlos Sanchez his Premier League new boys' first signing of the summer.

Sanchez - a burly defensive midfielder - will soon become a free agent when his deal at French side Valenciennes, and is set to agree terms with the Royals.

McDermott's spies have been tracking the 26-year-old for months.

Sanchez will need a work permit, but should qualify as he has 25 caps for a country that is sufficiently high in the FIFA rankings.