By David Woods

11th Dec, 2017 | 2:46pm

Exclusive: Rangers braced for Jan exit of star in brilliant form as English clubs come calling

EXCLUSIVE By Pete O’Rourke

Reading have joined the race for Rangers loanee Declan John and beat Leeds United to his signature as they prepare to open talks on a January deal, Football Insider sources understand.

Championship side Reading are in the market for a new left-back in January after losing Jordan Obita to a serious knee injury and John has emerged on their radar following his impressive form while on loan at Rangers.

Youngster Omar Richards is the only recognised senior left-back at Reading, while Chris Gunter has been forced to switch from his accustomed right-back role to left-back in recent weeks.

John joined Rangers on a season-long loan deal on transfer deadline day after finding himself out of favour at Cardiff under Neil Warnock.

The Wales international has excelled in Glasgow since his loan switch, chipping in with two goals and two assists in ten  Scottish Premiership games and he has made an instant impression at Ibrox with a series of excellent performances.

A well placed source has told Football Insider that Rangers would love to keep hold of John on a long-term basis, but with the defender having just six months to run on his contract at Cardiff the Bluebirds could decide to try and cash in on him in January rather than allow him to run down his contract next summer.

Leeds United are also lining up a bid for John to solve their problematic left-back spot, but they could now face competition from Championship rivals Reading for the 22-year-old when the transfer window reopens next month.

In other Rangers news, Mark Warburton has revealed he wanted to sign this Celtic player while he was in charge at Ibrox.

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