Watford chairman Jimmy Russo is "disturbed" as to how former manager Brendan Rodgers knows Tommy Smith wants to join Reading when the Royals have not received permission to speak to the forward.

Russo also accused Rodgers of being “very disrespectful to fans and staff” at Watford and said the 36-year-old “must not forget who gave him his first managerial opportunity”.

Rodgers claims Smith wants to reunite with him at the Madejski Stadium but there are queries as to how the Northern Irishman would know as Watford rejected their “derisory” £750,000 offer last week.

The Berkshire club have not submitted another bid and Russo confirmed Reading have not received permission to speak with Smith.

Russo said: “It is with disappointment that I have read Brendan Rodgers’ comments regarding our player Tommy Smith, in today’s online edition of the Reading Evening Post.

“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".

“I am more than happy to keep the player at the club if our valuation is not met. He is a fantastic player who will have a huge contribution on the pitch next season if he is still a Watford player.

“This also means that we do not have to purchase a replacement for him.

“Unless we receive the appropriate valuation for Tommy, through the correct channels, then we intend to keep the player at the club, this I can guarantee 100 per cent.”

Sheffield United have had a £1.8m bid accepted but the Watford Observer understands Smith is not keen on moving his family.