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However, unfortunately the transfer still appears to be some way from complete. 'The Goat', who has several other imminent offers, must decide whether he wants to uproot himself and move to Southern England.
With Sunderland, Sheffield United and Nottingham Forest all still in the hunt for the striker's services the Bermudan is in demand.
It is thought that Goater's wife could have the final say in the matter once she is shown around the local area.
A fairly confident sounding Pardew admitted to the Reading Evening Post: "Financially the deal with him (Shaun Goater) is more or less done. The only problem is he has firm roots in Manchester and it will be a wrench for him to leave.
"I will understand if he decides not to come here, but I hope he accepts the challenge and makes Reading his home. We're the team of the millennium, but I'm not saying we're the best club out of those interested in him because that wouldn't be true.
"I know his mentality and one thing is he won't just want to see out his days here. He'll want to win things."
It has been reported that should the move for Goater fail, Alan Pardew will turn his attentions to former Crystal Palace forward Leon McKenzie. But Pards revealed he is happy to play the waiting game with Goater whilst the 33-year-old makes an important decision in regard to his future.
Such is Pardew's cool that he would be happy to take Reading to Ipswich on the season's opening day without any further signings.
"I've told Shaun I'm in no rush and to take his time, and I have no worries about going to Ipswich with what we've got already," added Pards.
Needless to say the Royals manager would be delighted to have the signing completed by Friday so that Goater can bring his Reading career Southampton in the club's only home pre-season friendly.
Meanwhile, the player's agent believes that Goater has been forced out of the City of Manchester Stadium by Man City boss Kevin Keegan.
"I think the pressure is probably coming from Kevin Keegan. Certainly it was from the City end that the story came out about Reading," said the players agent.
Despite the need to get away from City, Mark Georgevic won't encourage the Goat to sign for Reading unless the deal is right. With personal terms now nearly agreed it appears only Mrs Goater stand in the way of her husbands move to Reading. Lets hope Shaun Goater's other half enjoys her look around Sunny Reading!