Reading FC Player of the Year linked with Nottingham Forest

Reports from The Sun journalist Alan Nixon suggest that the Reds are plotting to test the Royals' resolve with a bid for the midfielder, who has just one year remaining on his current contract.

Reading will be desperate to keep a hold of the former Shrewsbury midfielder, who made 45 appearances in the Championship last season.

The 26-year-old was almost ever-present in Veljko Paunovic’s side in the 2020-21 season, notching three goals and three assists in his 45 Championship appearances.

Laurent was rewarded for his efforts with the club's Player of the Year awarded.

Many Reading FC fans have taken to social media to react to the news.

Not particularly confident for the season ahead anyway, but lose Josh Laurent and I’m sure we will be fighting for survival come April/May next year. #readingfc

— Tom Light (@tomlight93) August 2, 2021

Nottingham Forest reportedly interested in Reading's Josh Laurent. The Royals simply cannot afford to lose him. He's a crucial figure in that XI and losing him would be nothing short of a disaster.#NFFC #ReadingFC

— Sam Rourke (@samrourke_) August 2, 2021

I have a very big interest in Josh Laurent https://t.co/Z2p8uHnNOk

— Will Sumner (@willsumner09) August 2, 2021

Only reasons we can lose Laurent is that we literally have no one else, and can’t replace. In a normal world he’s easily replaceable #ReadingFC

— JimNo (@JimNo1871) August 2, 2021

Im *almost* certain that Laurent will have an option of another year if we want to extend it.

I don’t think it’s as black and white as sell now or he leaves for free. Having said that, if the money is there, anything around 5-6m we have to be realistic and sell. #ReadingFC

— Jamie Hodder (@Jamie_Hodder21) August 2, 2021

Losing Laurent would be a massive, massive blow. But the reality is we are better off getting some money now than losing him on a free at the end of the season.
The 2 year contract always looked a bit silly, maybe that's all we could offer at the time #readingfc

— Dominic (@domwindle) August 2, 2021

If we agree to sell Laurent it needs to be for a fee that gets us out this EFL situation (if that's how it works).

Absolutely pointless for us to sell otherwise.

We are not skint, we have money just can't spend it. There is a big difference.#Readingfc

— Niall - Guilty, I support Reading. (@Reading106) August 2, 2021