“A massive shock” – Reading eye up move for Stoke City midfielder: The verdict | OneFootball

This article is part of Football League World’s ‘The Verdict‘ series, which provides personal opinions from the FLW writers regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more…

Reading are considering a late January move for Stoke City midfielder Josh Laurent, as per a report from James Earnshaw of the Reading Chronicle.

The 27-year-old, who only departed the Select Car Leasing Stadium in the summer, has appeared 14 times for the Potters since his summer arrival.

With the Royals still operating under transfer restrictions, it would be a loan move that Paul Ince will be eyeing up, as it remains to be seen what stance Stoke hold in all of this.

Reading currently sit 14th in the Championship standings, however, they are a mere five points from the second tier play-off positions.

Three of our writers here at FLW have shared their thoughts on Laurent and whether or not he would be a good re-addition at The Select Car Leasing Stadium…

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Billy Mulley

The Championship does have a habit of providing completely bizarre transfer scenarios but it would be a massive shock if the Royals were to complete a move for Laurent, again.

Of course, he is a player that Reading fans will have a lot of time for and swooping the club’s Player of the Season award during the 2020/21 campaign and he is someone that would slot in with no problems.

However, Laurent’s lack of consistent minutes this season has been a result of injury issues, as opposed to dropping down the pecking order, with the 27-year-old playing the full 90 last weekend as the Potters secured a 4-0 victory over the Royals.

If this was all to go through, then, of course, it would have to be considered a massive coup.

Adam Jones

This could be a good move for the Royals considering they are in need of another option in midfield.

Tyrese Fornah and Sam Hutchinson can play there – but the former hasn’t been heavily involved this season and the latter has been injured for much of the campaign.

With this, an alternative option is needed for Jeff Hendrick and Mamadou Loum who have been poor at times this season.

Laurent is someone who could potentially be a deep-lying player who can make a real difference with his work rate and ability to carry the ball up the pitch.

They need a good passer and that isn’t exactly Laurent’s main strength – but you would back him to make an impact on his potential return to the Select Car Leasing Stadium.

They will need to offload a player before he can come in though.

Sam Rourke

There is no denying that the Royals could do with adding another central midfielder in this January transfer window.

An alternative is needed to Jeff Hendrick and Mamadou Loum in midfield with Sam Hutchinson struggling with injury and often being deployed at centre-back, whilst Tyrese Fornah has been in and out of the XI.

Laurent is of course no stranger to the SCL Stadium and enjoyed a fruitful stint at the club, even winning the club’s player of the year, but his fairly swift exit has left a bitter taste in some Royals fans’ mouths.

On his day, he’s a more than competent Championship midfielder and would fit in nicely to Paul Ince’s side.