This article is part of Football FanCast's Transfer Focus series, which provides opinion and analysis on recent transfer news...

According to Sky Sports, Manchester United are amongst a host of Premier League clubs considering making a move for Reading prospect Danny Loader.

What's the word?

The 20-year-old has made six senior appearances across all competitions this season, but has scored three goals in two games for the U23s at Premier League 2 level. Last year saw the striker rack up 21 games in the Championship, and his breakthrough has reportedly seen many teams keep him in their sights.

Sky Sports claim that United, along with a number of other Premier League sides, are contemplating making a bid for Loader, particularly with the starlet out of contract at the end of the season, and with negotiations on a new deal with Reading having stalled.

The forward was on the verge of a move to Wolves previously, but a move fell through on deadline day. Speaking after the failed transfer, Loader said: "Everyone knows a Premier League club tried to sign me in the transfer window, but it wasn't to be. I'm very ambitious, my dream is to play on the biggest stage and you never know when these opportunities will come around again."

Exciting potential

Despite not being at all prolific in his fledgling career with the senior side - he has just one solitary goal in 29 games - Loader's potential makes him a very intriguing proposition indeed. Given his Reading debut by former United great Jaap Stam, aged just 16, the striker is picking up valuable first-team experience in a short space of time.

Indeed, Loader scored twice as England's U17s won the World Cup in 2017, whilst he was called up to the England U20 squad for the Toulon Tournament this past summer. The 20-year-old is building up a resume at both club and country that shows he is honing his craft week-in and week-out, and his versatility of being to play through the middle or on either flank proves he is learning quickly.

Speaking back in January 2018, Stam lauded the youngster for his abilities. He said: "He’s a very, very promising player, everybody knows that. When the opportunity is there he trains with us (first team). You can see he’s a killer around the box and his finishing is very clinical." And then a few weeks later, the Dutchman insisted they "rate him very highly" and that he is a "great player".

If United can fend off the competition to Loader's signature, then they will be adding to their young forward line of Anthony Martial, Marcus Rashford and Daniel James. And wouldn't that be just very exciting indeed.