Crystal Palace Offer Contract to England Under-20 Forward Danny Loader
By Charlie Stewart
Crystal Palace are ready to offer English teenager Danny Loader a three-year contract, following his exit from Reading.
Loader, who made his debut under Jaap Stam when he was 16, departed Reading on after he failed to agree a new contract with the Berkshire side. The 19 year-old scored two goals for the Royals in 35 appearances.
Reading were keen for Loader to stay, but the Mail report that they were forced to withdraw their new contract offer following the financial ramifications of the coronavirus pandemic. This leaves the striker as a free agent, and Sky Sports wrote on their transfer liveblog this week that the Eagles have offered him a deal.
Loader, who was previously linked with a move to Wolverhampton Wanderers in May, has also reportedly attracted the attention of Leeds United, Swansea City, and Portuguese club Vitoria SC.
The England youth international was part of Steve Cooper's Under-17 World Cup winning squad in 2017, alongside superstars such as Borussia Dortmund's Jadon Sancho and Manchester City's Phil Foden. The forward registered two goals at the tournament - both coming in England's final group game against Iraq.
Quoted by BerkshireLive about Loader's departure, Reading boss Mark Bowen said: "The only player who has turned down a contract extension with us is Danny Loader, which he's entitled to do of course.
"He's at the stage with his advisors and his family wondering where he's going to be next season so he has decided not to sign a contract extension. From next Tuesday he is basically finished with the club. He won't be able to play any more games so it looks like Danny will be moving on to pastures new."
Should Loader decide to accept the offer from the Eagles, he will be joining a club that boasts an impressive record for nurturing youth, having brought through young players such as Wilfried Zaha, Victor Moses, Nathaniel Clyne, and Aaron Wan-Bissaka.