West Ham United boss Sam Allardyce could have Mladen Petric signed up in time for the weekend's game with Southampton.
The Mirror says Reading had been interested in the 32-year-old former Borussia Dortmund, Hamburg and Fulham man but West Ham look to have stolen a march on the Royals.
They will need to apply for dispensation but the precedent for out-of-contract players suggests that Petric will be able to join up with the East London side ahead of their trip to Southampton on Sunday.
Sources close to the player say that he has not had a medical but is very close to signing for Allardyce's men.
