Sampdoria have reportedly been priced out of a move for ex-AC Milan hitman Alexandre Pato but cash-rich French outfit Monaco are ready to rescue him from his Brazilian misery.
According to Sky Italia the Serie A side were lining up an ambitious move for the former San Siro favourite, only to discover he would cost at least £11million.
Now Monaco and Bundesliga side Wolfsburg head the race to bring back the Brazil international from a difficult spell in his homeland and could put an offer on the table this week.
The 24-year-old is said to have already expressed an interest in leaving, just one year on from his switch to Corinthians which ended a six-year stint with Milan.
An agreement on a transfer fee proved to be the major stumbling block, the report claims, as Sampdoria – who are in contact with the striker’s agent – have to sell before they can buy.
Pato became unsettled in his homeland when angry Corinthians supporters tried to attack him at the club’s training ground following the side’s dip in form.
A hastily-arranged transfer saw him join Sao Paulo in exchange for midfield man Jadson.
His deal there runs until December 2015, but he is permitted to negotiate a permanent move if a club in Europe makes an offer before the end of this month.
Earlier on this summer he suffered the heartache of being left out of the Brazil squad for the World Cup on home soil.