Danny Loader has turned down a move to Leeds United or Crystal Palace as he closes in on a move to Porto, according to the Reading Chronicle.
After usurping bitter rivals Benfica to re-claim their place on the Portuguese throne, Porto are looking to keep the good times rolling by signing an England youth star who finds himself in high demand.
Loader rejected a new contract at Reading and walked away from the Madejski in July.
According to reports from Berkshire, he is about to take a leaf out of Jadon Sancho’s book, feeling that a move away from British football would be a help rather than a hindrance to his development.
Many a young player would jump at the chance to share a dressing room with Marcelo Bielsa but Leeds, as well as Crystal Palace, have failed in their attempts to lure Loader to Elland Road of Selhurst Park.
This comes a fortnight after Victor Orta led a campaign to snatch the 20-year-old from under Porto’s nose, according to the Mail.
The technically gifted forward is now expected to sign a £1 million-a-year, or £20,000-a-week, contract at the Estadio do Dragao, although claiming a place in Sergio Conceicao’s front line will be easier said than done.
Perhaps Loader could be tasked with replacing Otavio, the Brazilian assist-machine who has been linked with a £15 million move to Wolves as his contract runs down (Mirror, 22 June, page 66).
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