Steve Clarke to leave Reading for Fulham?

Reading manager Steve Clarke is on the verge of leaving the club in order to take over at Fulham, according to reports.

Fulham have been without a manager since sacking Kit Symons on November 8 and are understood to have earmarked Clarke as a replacement.

The 52-year-old only took over at the Madejski Stadium in December of last year and still has 18 months remaining on his contract, but Getreading reports that he is keen to take the reins at Craven Cottage.

Reading's owners are thought to be eager to keep hold of the manager, who kept the Royals in the Championship last season as well as guiding them to the semi-finals of the FA Cup for the first time in 88 years.

However, Clarke, who spent 15 years in West London as a player and a coach with Chelsea, is now on the verge of being appointed by the Cottagers.

Nigel Pearson, Lee Clark, John Carver and Alan Curbishley have all also been linked to the vacant Fulham post.

Reading currently sit eighth in the Championship table, four points and four places above Fulham.