Reading midfielder Josh Laurent is expected to complete a move to Championship rivals Stoke City "in the coming days", according to reports.

The fan favourite arrived in 2020 and played 74 times, including 45 out of 46 league matches in 2020/21 as he won the club's Player of the Season award.

A free agent after his contract expired, the club had offered an extension but it appears not to have been enough to tempt the former Shrewsbury Town star to stay in Berkshire.

According to Mike McGrath of The Telegraph, "Final parts of deal to be completed in the coming days or next week."

This will be a big loss for Paul Ince, who could still lose first team stars such as Andy Rinomhota, Tom Holmes and Femi Azeez.

Royals are yet to make a signing and have alreay lost John Swift to West Brom earlier in the transfer window.