Media in Italy suggest Becchetti was a guest of Royals chairman Sir John Madejski on Saturday for the 1-1 draw with Huddersfield Town.

It is rumoured the pair are due to enter discussions this week over a proposed buyout.

Madejski is seeking a ‘billionaire with deep’ pockets who can take Royals to the next level.

Madejski thought he had found his man when he sold a 51% stake for around £20 million to Russian Anton Zingarevich two years ago.

But Zingarevich failed to go through with his promise to buy Madejski’s remaining 49% share for a similar amount.

Zingarevich has not been seen at Madejski Stadium since last September, leaving Reading FC to look for a new investor.

Discussions have taken place with a consortium from America as well as a group of Omani businessmen, but no firm offer was made.

Galatasaray president Unal Aysal has also been linked with a potential takeover and there has been some interest from India and China.

Becchetti, who runs the Becchetti Energy Group, undertook a trip to England with former Juventus and Roma director Gian Paolo Montali and former Siena and Catania coach Marco Giampaolo, according to reports.

Bechetti and Montali are said to have been close to purchasing Italian side Bologna in the past but have now turned their attentions elsewhere.

Italian media say they have also met with representatives of Birmingham City and Leyton Orient.