Sporting Lisbon are attempting to bring Reading centre-back Tiago Ilori back to the club, Press Association Sport understands.
The 25-year-old left the Portuguese giants for Liverpool in a £7million deal in 2013, but moved onto the Madejski Stadium last January having struggled to make an impact at Anfield.
Ilori could now be heading back to Portugal and the club whose youth system he came through.
It is understood Sporting have seen an offer rejected by Reading and are preparing another.
They are not the only interested party in the defender, who was forced off midway through Saturday's FA Cup 2-0 loss at Manchester United with a knock.
Reading are on an 11-match winless run and sit five points adrift of safety in the Sky Bet Championship.
Recently-appointed Royals manager Jose Gomes said after the loss at Old Trafford that he hopes to be active in the transfer market this month.
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