LEANDRO Bacuna is on the verge of becoming Reading FC’s fifth summer signing, the Chronicle understands.

Last night Aston Villa boss Steve Bruce confirmed the versatile Dutchman, who can play as a midfielder or as a right-sided defender, is on brink of exiting the club.

The former FC Grongingen player has been linked with a switch to Berkshire for several weeks and it was reported Royals had a bid turned down earlier in the transfer window.

However, the Chronicle understands Reading are now in talks with Bacuna’s representatives once again over a potential switch to Madejski Stadium.

Sources claimed Royals boss Jaap Stam held discussions about transfers with the club’s hierarchy in the wake of the 2-0 defeat to Queens Park Rangers last Saturday.

Speaking after Villa’s match against Colchester, former Manchester United defender Bruce told the BBC that Bacuna, who was not in the squad, is set to join a Championship club.

"There's a Championship club after Bacuna,” stated Bruce.

“That looks close to being over the line too."

It is believed an official fee between Reading and Villa is yet to be agreed but Royals are willing to pay around £1.5m for the 25-year-old.

Stam confirmed on Tuesday night the club were working on a number of deals as he looks to bolster his squad before the transfer window slams shut at the end of the month.

The Dutchman’s squad is currently hampered with injuries and the 45-year-old only fielded six substitutes in the 2-0 defeat to Queens Park Rangers last Saturday.

Speaking about transfers, Stam said recently: “We need to get players back in the squad and we still need to get players into the club.

“We need to have extra players to make the squad bigger and to inject more quality into the squad.”