Reading midfielder Josh Laurent is keen to stay at the Select Car Leasing Stadium despite strong interest having emerged in him from Nottingham Forest, according to Berkshire Live.

The Royals are facing a difficult situation regarding the long-term future of Laurent this summer with the midfielder having been named their Player of the Year last term after a string of impressive performances in the Championship.

It has been reported The Athletic that Nottingham Forest are interested in bringing the midfielder into the City Ground this summer as they aim to bolster their midfield options. The Reds are thought to have had at least one seven-figure offer for Laurent turned down by Reading.

Amid the interest in Laurent from Nottingham Forest, Reading manager Veljko Paunovic has insisted that he believes the 26-year-old will remain with the Royals this summer and for ‘a long time’ beyond that.

That was a very encouraging response from Paunovic to Nottingham Forest’s efforts to secure the midfielder during the transfer window. It is now being reported by Berkshire Live that Laurent is also keen to remain with the Royals this summer rather than make a move away to the City Ground.

However, the update adds that should an opportunity arise that is too good for both Laurent and Reading to turn down he could yet be allowed to leave the club.

The verdict

This has to be seen as a major positive for Reading and a blow for Nottingham Forest’s chances of landing one of their primary midfielder targets this summer.

Laurent is an excellent player at Championship level as he demonstrated with his seamless step up to the level last term with the Royals where he instantly became an integral part of their play-off challenge.

You can see why Nottingham Forets feel he is the right player to be targeting as they aim to bolster their squad with enough quality to challenge for a top-six finish next term.

The 26-year-old is a perfect kind of player for Chris Hughton’s approach to matches and he would elevate the Reds to a higher level of performances if he were to arrive.

The fear for Reading might have been that their lack of signings this summer might see players like Laurent feel they might have more chance of promotion by moving on to another side.

However, it seems as though the midfielder is willing to stick around with them and help them overcome their off-field issues and enjoy another strong season.