Managerless Reading have approached Primeira Liga club Rio Ave for permission to talk to boss Jose Gomes over their vacant position.
The Royals have extended their search within Portugal for Paul Clement‘s successor following top target Luis Castro’s decision to pull out of talks.
The relegation-threatened Championship club offered Castro’s current employers Vitoria Guimaraes €1m in compensation for his services, before Vitoria’s chairman managed to persuade him to stay put.
And now Reading chief executive Nigel Lowe has turned his attention to Gomes.
Reports in Portugal claim the Royals have already spoken to Rio Ave president Antonio Silva Campos.
But the speed of negotiations have hit a wall as Gomes prepares his team to face Primeria Liga title-challengers Sporting Lisbon on Wednesday.
Gomes has guided Rio Ave to sixth in the league this season and confirmed after last weekend’s 2-2 draw versus Belenenses that the matter of the move was in the hands of the club’s hierarchy.
