TOMI Juric has rejected a move to Reading FC.

Royals are believed to have bid around £2m for the 25-year-old striker, who plies his trade in Switzerland with Super League side, FC Luzern.

But the Australian international has turned down the chance to sign for Jaap Stam's Royals to remain with the Swiss club.

Swiss daily newspaper, Luzerner Zeitung, posted the news on its website, saying: “FCL striker Tomi Juric has rejected Reading.

“The offer from Reading was 2.5 million francs for Juric, 25, who plays for FC Luzern.

“The Australian national player has however declined and remains at least until summer at the FCL.”

Juric has made 15 club appearances this season, scoring five times.

With a move to England now off the cards, Stam may be forced to look elsewhere for reinforcements up front following earlier links to Grimsby Town's Omar Bogle, 23.

Stam's ability to add another new face to his forward line could also have implications for Royals striker Dominic Samuel.

Barnsley, Rotherham United and Ipswich Town want to take the 23-year-old on loan for the rest of the season, but Stam does not want to leave himself short of options up front.

Royals boss has made two signings this January with the capture of Tiago Ilori from Liverpool for a club record £3m and Romanian midfielder Adrian Popa from Steaua Bucharest for around £500,000.

They are also set to sign 18-year-old defender, Reece Oxford, from West Ham United on loan for the remainder of the season to cover for Ilori who is sidelined for up to six weeks through injury.

Stam has also been heavily linked with Crystal Palace midfielder Jordan Mutch, with reports suggesting the 25-year-old set to join until the end of the season after falling down the pecking order at Selhurst Park.

The former Birmingham City, Cardiff City and QPR player has made only eight Premier League and cup appearances this season for the struggling Eagles, who replaced ex-Royals boss Alan Pardew with Sam Allardyce in December.

Meanwhile, Stam could be looking to loan out a number of his fringe players including Sandro Wieser and Danzell Gravenberch.