Watford have reacted angrily to Brendan Rodgers' comments that striker Tommy Smith wants to join Reading.
Former Hornets boss Rodgers is keen to take Smith to Reading, but his old club have rejected a 'derisory' offer from their Championship rivals.
A £1.8million bid from Sheffield United has been accepted by Watford, but Rodgers claims the 29-year-old would prefer a move to the Madejski Stadium.
"He wants to be here," Rodgers told the Reading Evening Post. "He's a player that has turned down a number of moves.
"There were a number of other offers for Tommy and then one big one came in (from Sheffield United).
"He doesn't have to go anywhere unless he wants to. But there's been good communication.
"Nick Hammond's been having good communication with the chairman there and hopefully, I'm not sure how quickly, there will be some sort of resolution on it."
Disappointment
However, Watford chairman Jimmy Russo has responded to Rodgers' comments and admits to being 'disturbed' by what the Reading manager has had to say.
Russo told the club's official website: "It is with disappointment that I have read Brendan Rodgers' comments regarding our player Tommy Smith.
"I am somewhat disturbed as to how Brendan knows Tommy's future intentions.
"His comments are not very respectful to the fans and the staff at Watford Football Club and he must not forget that Watford gave him his first managerial opportunity
"Reading have failed to meet our valuation of the player in question, in fact last week I labelled the bid 'derisory'."