Inter Milan midfielder Joao Mario is set to jet into London for a medical on Friday after West Ham agreed a deal for the 25-year-old, according to the Daily Mail.
The newspaper claim in their live transfer blog (Thursday, 09:47) that productive talks were held between the two clubs on Wednesday after it looked as though a move would fall through.
The Mail report that a loan fee of £1.2million will be paid for the Portugal international, with a view to a £26million permanent deal in the summer.
It is said that the playmaker agreed to a move to the London Stadium after talking to his agent and to manager David Moyes, after initially turning down the chance to join the Hammers.
Good move for West Ham?
This deal could go one of two ways for West Ham.
Either Mario will be a hit, replicating his form for Portugal as they won the Euros in 2016, and they will have a star on their hands, or he will flop just as he has in Milan.
Mario joined Inter for a massive £35million fee from Sporting in 2016, but has not made any sort of impact at the San Siro since then.
There is no doubt that he is a brilliant player, possessing a lovely passing range and a nice burst of pace, but West Ham will just need to hope he can find some form in England.
This is Futbol rating: 7.5/10
Likely to happen?
This one looks all but done.
As long as Mario’s medical goes without a hitch, then there should be an announcement tomorrow.
This is Futbol rating: 9/10