CASTRO GETS CALL TO FIX A ROYAL CRISIS

READING have made an approach for Vitoria Guimaraes boss Luis Castro as the cull at the Madejski Stadium continued.

The Royals are ready to pay Castro’s £900,000 release clause after sporting director Gianluca Nani followed manager Paul Clement out of the club.

The latter was axed as manager after Reading’s dire run of four wins from 20 Championship games.

Nani, who was only appointed four months ago, had wanted to appoint Steve Bruce to replace Clement.

But Nigel Howe, who recently returned to the Berkshire club as chief executive, picked out Castro (above) as his top target. The 57-year-old Portuguese had a brief spell in charge of Porto in 2014. MARIO BALOTELLI will leave Nice in the summer – if not before – according to the club’s president. Nice president Jeanpierre Rivere said of the former Manchester City striker’s (left) future: “I think it will be over.” JOSE MOURINHO has been told not to waste his time with another bid for Leicester’s Harry Maguire next month.

Manchester United made a move last summer for the centre-back (above), but he signed a new deal worth £20million.

And Foxes boss Claude Puel is confident of keeping England ace Maguire, 25, in the January transfer window as well.

Puel said: “We cannot have guarantees but I think Harry decided this summer to remain with us and play with us for another season. He is happy with us.”

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