French starlet in Royals link

Reading are keen on young French midfielder Geoffrey Kondogbia after he starred during the recent Uefa Under-19 tournament.

Kondogbia is only 19 but he started 29 matches for Racing Club Lens in Ligue 2 last season and has told the club that he wants to play at a higher level. Reading face competition from Spanish outfit Sevilla for the midfielder who was a regular for the French Under-19 side that went out of the championships on Thursday on penalties to Spain at the semi-final stage. It has been reported that Kondogbia will be in England next week to discuss personal terms with Reading, although these could be premature with other clubs interested. Kondogbia is rated in France as being a similar talent to former Lens centre-back Raphael Varane, who joined Real Madrid last summer for £8million.