Sporting Lisbon have rejected a loan bid from Reading for Portuguese striker Pedro Mendes, according to outlet record.pt.

The forward is highly-rated by the Portuguese side and hasn't played in the league this season after the club missed the registration deadline for the striker.

The 22-year-old has a prolific goal-scoring record for the youth teams and has managed to net 16 goals in 22 games for the under-23 side.

Despite not featuring in the league during the current campaign, Mendes has played in the Europa League and even managed to score against a strong PSV Eindhoven side.

It shows the pedigree and level that he's played at, which suggests why the Royals are interested in bringing him to Berkshire.

Reading are in the market for a new forward after the impressive Lucas Joao picked up an injury,  that would rule him out for three months, during their away victory at Fulham. It leaves them with just George Puscas and Sam Baldock as out and out strikers.

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The Verdict

It's a knock-back for the Royals and could mean that they now turn their attentions elsewhere ahead of some important days for the club.

They're not battling relegation this season, but they do have to bring in a couple if they want to have a big impact on the top-half of the table come the end of the campaign.

Reading will miss Joao as he was influential during the side's great run of form heading into the start of the New Year.

They want a striker of his ilk, someone who can hold up the ball as well as run on beyond the last defender.