Reading are edging closer to finalising an agreement to sign Chelsea defender Baba Rahman on a season-long loan deal, according to The Reading Chronicle. 

Rahman has been with the Premier League side since 2015, but has found regular minutes with the Blues' first-team hard to come by since arriving from German side FC Augsburg.

The left-back has made just 23 appearances in total for Chelsea, who are currently sat second in the top-flight standings after their opening two matches of this year's campaign.

He spent last year's campaign on loan with Greek side PAOK, but has also played for the likes of FC Schalke 04 and Reims whilst out on loan away from Stamford Bridge.

A move to the Select Car Leasing Stadium with Reading could be a tempting proposition for the 27-year-old as well, as the Royals look to push themselves up the Championship table after a sluggish start to the 2021/22 season.

It is claimed that he'll undergo a medical in the near future, ahead of a temporary move to the Royals this summer, as we edge closer to Deadline Day.

Veljko Paunovic's side are currently sat 18th in the second-tier standings, after they were beaten by Coventry City in their most recent fixture.

The Royals are certainly in need of strengthening the left-back area, with no replacement for Omar Richards (who departed for Bayern Munich in the summer) being found as of yet.

Tom McIntyre had been filling in as a makeshift left-back in recent weeks, but the Scottish youth international has been sidelined through injury, after being forced off against Coventry City last weekend.

Reading are set to return to action on Saturday afternoon, when they take on Huddersfield Town, in what could potentially be another tricky test for them at the John Smith's Stadium.

The Verdict:

This is a real coup for the Royals.

Rahman hasn't had much of a chance to impress with the Chelsea first-team, which is slightly understandable, as they currently have stronger options available, with the likes of Ben Chilwell and Marcus Alonso being ahead of him in the pecking order at this moment in time.

Reading haven't made the best of starts to this year's league campaign, and so it's somewhat of a surprise that they've managed to seemingly strike a deal here.

Given Reading's current financial position, you would imagine that Chelsea will be covering the majority of his wages, which make it a smart bit of business by Veljko Paunovic's men.