A player that I was hoping would come here!
May not have been a target at all but there were a few rumours not long ago
Stoke City are closing the net on Reading midfielder Josh Laurent, StokeonTrentLive understands.
The 27-year-old has been one of the Championship's most-wanted free agents this summer, with Reading also keen to keep him. Cardiff are one of the clubs who have been publicly linked.
Laurent is now a free agent and looks likely to turn down a new offer by Reading who he appeared for in 41 games last season and being one of the stand out players of the season for Reading.
Steve Morison at Cardiff City made Laurent one of his main targets but wages were the sticking point and it now looks like Stoke City will win the race to sign him.
Ex Cardiff City star player Aden Flint joined Stoke City this week.