Reading manager Brendan Rodgers has stated Watford talisman Tommy Smith wants to leave the Hornets to re-unite with him at the Madejski Stadium.

Rodgers has made no secret of his desire to sign the man he dubbed ‘Superman’ whilst Watford manager and is confident a deal for the 29-year-old can be done.

The Royals made a bid of around £750,000 for Smith last week but Watford chairman Jimmy Russo dismissed it instantly, describing it as “derisory” and “insulting”.

Sheffield United had a £1.8m bid accepted on the same day but it is understood Smith is not keen on moving his family.

Rodgers told the Get Reading website: "He wants to be here. He's a player that has turned down a number of moves.

"My job is to identify the players that I want and then I, in exactly the same scenario as Steve Coppell, let (director of football) Nick Hammond and the board get on with it.

"I've made it clear we've made the intent that this was the offer.

"There were a number of other offers for Tommy and then one big one came in."

Smith scored 17 goals and made 12 assists last season but he only has one year on his contract left.

Rodgers added: "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 [Russo] and hopefully, I'm not sure how quickly, there will be some sort of resolution on it."

Rodgers continued: "At the moment Tommy is a Watford player, he's a player who I've identified and would love to bring in.

"I know his work and he's a big player in the Championship.

"When you lose 18 goals in Kevin Doyle you want to replace someone with that efficiency and Tommy, in every aspect, is a big player."