Hull City manager Steve Bruce has told Nottingham Forest that they must match Reading's "substantial" bid if they want to sign defender Jack Hobbs.
Hobbs, 25, is currently on a season-long loan deal at Forest but Hull would consider recalling him if Reading out-bidded Forest for his signature.
"Forest have to match the Reading offer," Sky Sports News quotes Bruce as saying.
"We have had a substantial offer from Reading and ultimately the ball is in Jack's hands. But Forest have to come to the table and play ball with us.
"It is as simple as that. We let him go to Forest on loan because there were doubts over his knee. He has gone there and done ever so well. But, if they think they are getting him for nothing, we have a decision to make."
Hobbs has started all but one of Forest's games in the Championship this season and has scored one goal.
