Afonso Alves is on the brink of signing for Middlesbrough.
The 27-year-old Brazilian is determined to secure his exit from Dutch Eredivisie side Heerenveen, with a move to AZ appearing to be on the cards earlier in the month.
However, that switch has apparently broken down, meaning that Boro have emerged as front-runners to sign the Brazilian international.
Alves, who scored 34 times last season, could cost up to £14m (18.8m euros), with talks still ongoing.
However, English newspaper The Sun believes that such a fee will not be a stumbling block, and that the deal will be completed sooner rather than later.
A source told the publication, "Middlesbrough and the player have an agreement in place and the clubs also.
"There are a few other details to sort out but the player should be in England by the end of the week."
Heerenveen coach Gertjan Verbeek, meanwhile, told AD Sportwereld that the player's career in Freisland is all but over.
"This chapter is closed," he boomed.
"After he said he wanted to leave Heerenveen, that was it.
"The fact that he's not signed at AZ or anywhere else doesn't interest me. I only want to work with the guys who are devoted to Heerenveen, and that isn't the case with Alves.
"Neither physically nor mentally is he ready for it. I could put him in the line-up for the next four games, but I have no intention of doing so. I don't want to deal with his erratic behaviour. That will simply damage the club."
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