Sunderland are reportedly lining up a move for Reading youngster Tyler Frost according to a report from the Sunderland Echo. 

Frost was named in the Sunderland under 23's side in their recent defeat to West Ham, and it appears as though the young midfielder made a good impression on the club's staff.

He is out of contract with Championship side Reading at the end of this year's campaign, which currently means that he is free to talk to other clubs.

Frost is yet to make a senior appearance for the Royals, and is seemingly pursuing other options as we head into the second-half of this year's campaign.

Sunderland's under 23's team are struggling this season, and are yet to win any of their opening 16 league matches, so it will come as no surprise to see the Black Cats targeting reinforcements ahead of next season.

The Black Cats' senior team are currently challenging for promotion back into the Championship, and they'll be keen to get back to winning ways after they were beaten by promotion rivals Portsmouth at Fratton Park on Saturday.

Phil Parkinson's side take on Ipswich Town at the weekend, in what could potentially be a tricky test for Sunderland as they look to fire themselves back into the play-off positions.

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The Verdict: 

This could prove to be a smart bit of business.

Frost hasn't featured for Reading's first team in his career yet, and I think he'd be making a smart move in heading to Sunderland ahead of next year's campaign.

He's more likely to be breaking into their senior team than he would at Reading, with a number of young players ahead of him in the pecking order in Berkshire.

It's good to see Sunderland planning for the future though, and I think Frost could play a starring role in that if he was to sign permanently at the Stadium of Light.