League One Birmingham City are 'very keen' on former Reading favourite Josh Laurent, according to reports.

The 29-year-old spent two years with Reading between 2020 and 2022, picking up a Player of the Season and a Goal of the Season award and racking up 88 appearances.

Departing on a free transfer to Stoke City in 2022, the combative midfielder is approaching 80 appearances and regularly captains the Potters in the absence of the official club captain.

Still fondly thought of years after his departure, he often interacts with supporters on social media and received a rapturous applause from travelling fans at the Bet365 in January 2023, which the hosts won 4-0.

According to journalist Fraser Gillan, of TEAMtalk, Birmingham City are reportedly 'very keen on Stoke captain Josh Laurent but wages may be an issue.'

The Blues, back in the third tier for the first time in over 30 years, were taken over by American owners last summer and are set to have the largest budget in the division with ambitions of sealing an immediate return to the Championship.

Reading start their League One campaign at St Andrew's on August 10, with Sky Sports televising the fixture.