Reading boss Paul Ince shut down any chance of a Lucas Joao move on Saturday, firmly stating 'it ain't happening.'

Rumours began circulating on Friday that Championship rivals West Brom were interested in the Angola international, with social media working itself into a frenzy over his potential departure.

READ MORE: West Brom interested in Lucas Joao, according to reports

However, speaking to BBC Radio Berkshire after a 1-0 over Middlesbrough, the former England captain stated: "No news whatsoever, Lucas is going nowhere. I don’t know why these rumours keep coming up. Since pre-season, and even before pre-season when I was on holiday in Barbados, there were rumours of Lucas going here and there. It ain’t happening and that’s it."

Reading Chronicle:

Joao is yet to start a match this season after picking up an injury in pre-season, however the former Sheffield Wednesday forward took just eight minutes to find the net in midweek's win over Blackburn Rovers.

With striker George Puscas looking likely to return to Italy, Shane Long and Joao would be the only experienced forwards in the line-up, supplemented by youngsters Kelvin Ehibhatiomhan and Jahmari Clarke.

The Baggies, who signed former Royal midfielder John Swift in the summer, are thought to be turning their attention to former Reading striker Lewis Grabban.

The 34-year-old was recently released by Nottingham Forest and scored three in 16 appearances for Reading in 2017.