Napoli have reportedly set a deadline of August 10 to complete the signature of Liverpool midfielder Lucas Leiva.
According to Italian source TuttoSport, the Serie A outfit are frustrated at the amount of time it is taking to secure his services, having agreed personal terms with his representatives at the start of last week.
The two clubs have been debating the nature of the deal ever since, with Napoli holding out for a loan and the Reds initially demanding an outright sale before requesting a set fee, to be paid after a specific amount of loan appearances.
Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis is believed to have grown tired of waiting for a resolution and will turn his attention to other targets if Lucas has not arrived 10 days into next month.
The Brazil international is said to have set his heart on a reunion with ex-Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez in Naples.
Benitez, who led Napoli to Italian Cup glory and Champions League qualification, has several back-up options but has informed his directors that the 27-year-old is his top priority and has requested that they do everything they can to thrash out a deal.
Lucas has been with Liverpool since the summer of 2007, when Benitez signed him from Gremio in his homeland. He penned a long-term deal in 2013.