Murray joined the Royals on loan in the summer until January, with a deadline-day deal struck late on by director of football, Nick Hammond.

The deal included an option to buy in January if the Royals wished to do so, but Murray must also agree to the deal.

Speaking to the media last week, Crystal Palace manager Warnock said: “Glenn’s loan ends on January 1. I don’t know all the ins and outs yet, but I’ve asked to have a look at him myself.

“The thing is, I think both clubs have agreed a fee if they decide to take him but not only have they got to come up with that fee, the player has got to agree it as well.

“I don’t think it’s straightforward. Put it this way, I’m in no rush for him to go.”

Murray’s Reading career got off to the perfect start as he netted a brace on his debut to help defeat Fulham, but since then he has scored just four goals in 15 appearances.

Former Royals boss Nigel Adkins was a big admirer of the forward but, with money tight this January, it remains to be seen whether Steve Clarke will activate the option-to-buy clause in Murray’s loan deal.

Reading will have the services of the hitman for the festive fixtures against Brighton and Norwich, but will have to thrash out a deal if they want to keep him after that.

Meanwhile, Chris Gunter is attracting the attention of Premier League club Sunderland.

The Welsh international is out of contract in the summer, though Reading have the option of invoking a clause in his contract that will tie him to the club for another season.

It is believed a fee of £2 million could tempt Reading to sell the 25-year-old due to the tight financial constraints they are operating with under the new Financial Fair Play rules.