HITC Sport understands Reading striker Sam Smith has agreed a loan move to Oxford.
Sam Smith in action against Aston Villa last season
Oxford United are poised to sign Reading striker Sam Smith on a season-long loan deal this week, HITC Sport understands from sources close to the club.
A number of Football League clubs have expressed an interest in signing Smith on loan this summer as they look to bolster their attacking options.
Smith burst on to the scene for Reading last season after joining the club from Manchester United in the summer of 2016.
The 20-year-old scored two goals in 13 appearances for Reading last season and he is highly-regarded in the corridors of power at the Madejski Stadium.
Reading are happy to loan out Smith so he can continue his development with regular first-team football next season, but they did not want to sanction a deal until they had brought in a new striker to bolster their own ranks.
Reading are close to landing Brighton striker Sam Baldock and, once he arrives, they will allow Smith to go out on loan to Oxford.
Oxford boss Karl Robinson is a big admirer of Smith and sees him as a valuable addition to his plans as he looks to build a squad capable of challenging for promotion next season.
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