READING FC forgotten man Paolo Hurtado is being linked with West Ham United and Bournemouth.

The 26-year-old Peruvian made just six first-team appearances before he was farmed out on loan to Portuguese side Guimaraes in January 2016.

His future at Madejski Stadium looked even bleaker when he extended his loan last summer for the current campaign.

But Hurtado is now a key player in the Portuguese top-flight, scoring seven times in 33 appearances for fourth-placed Guimaraes this season.

Media in Portugal are now reporting the Hammers and the Cherries could both take a punt and offer Hurtado a chance to shine in the Premier League.

However, Royals boss Jaap Stam is keeping an open mind and previously stated the door remains open, with Hurtado unable to return to return to Madejski Stadium until his loan expires this summer.

“From what I’ve heard he can’t come over here yet,” Stam explained several weeks ago. “I need to talk to Brian (Tevreden, director of football) to find out the situation.

“He’s been out on loan for a season. If it was possible to bring him back we would have done that, but it isn’t possible at the moment which is why he’s still out there.”

Former Royals boss Steve Clarke signed Hurtado from another Portuguese side, Pacos de Ferreira, in August 2015 for around £1m.

He is one of a bunch of Reading players whose futures with the club look uncertain after Stam confirmed he already has a number of transfer targets in mind.

Reading can secure a place in the Championship play-offs tomorrow if they can avoid a home defeat to struggling Wigan, who must win to avoid the drop (3pm ko).