Reading manager Steve Clarke has agreed a deal with RCD Espanyol to sign midfielder Alex Fernandez on loan, according to the La Liga club's president.
The 22-year-old player, often known simply as Alex, played 90 minutes for the Spanish side against Reading in a pre-season friendly at the Madejski Stadium last Saturday.
Clarke was apparently impressed with what he saw, as Espanyol president Joan Collet has confirmed that the clubs have reached an agreement which will take the former Real Madrid man to the Championship side on a season-long deal.
Via Espanyol's official YouTube channel, Collet said: "We're now exchanging documents for the loan. It's a loan for one year, for this season. Reading have the option to buy Alex, but it's not obligatory."
According to Spanish outlet AS, Reading have reserved an option to make the move permanent next summer for a fee of around £1.3m.
Alex was restricted to just seven appearances for Espanyol last season before joining Croatian club HNK Rijeka on loan in January, where he went on to make nine appearances and score twice.
Tom Nightingale
