Reading boss Veljko Paunovic has issued a message to Nottingham Forest following interest in Royals midfielder Josh Laurent.
The Reds are understood to be keen on the 26-year-old as Chris Hughton looks to strengthen his options in central midfield.
Forest have made just one signing so far this summer, goalkeeper Ethan Horvath from Club Brugge, with the Reds struggling to make substantial business in the transfer window.
Hughton would love to bring Manchester United youngster James Garner back to the City Ground after an impressive loan spell during the second half of last season.
But the Reds have also looked into the availability of Reading midfielder Laurent, who has just 12 months left on his current deal at the Madejski Stadium.
Paunovic has issued a statement to Forest, however, as the Royals look to retain the services of their Player of the Year.
He told our colleagues at BerkshireLive: "I'm not surprised Josh Laurent has been recognised as very talented and a target for other teams.
"That's part of football. He is our player, he is doing fantastic in training, and we're developing his role.
"We believe he'll stay with us for a long time."
Laurent is not the only Royals player Forest are reported to be interested in with it claimed the Reds are also keen on Tom Holmes.
The 21-year-old central defender can be used as a right-back, another area in which Hughton is looking to improve.
Holmes made 40 appearances during his breakthrough campaign with the Royals and established himself as a regular feature in defence.
With Cyrus Christie returning to his parent club Fulham and Carl Jenkinson being frozen out, the Reds are short of options at right-back.
Jordan Gabriel is the only senior player available to Hughton in the position following his return from a loan with Blackpool, but he remains inexperienced in the Championship.
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