Liverpool target Davide Astori will finally complete his move to Lazio before the end of the week, according to fresh reports in the Italian media.
His switch from Serie A side Cagliari will bring down the curtain on a six-week saga which saw the Rome outfit agree a fee and offer personal terms in June, when they were confident of pulling off a quick deal.
However, they were forced to twice issue an ultimatum to the player and his representatives, warning that they would walk away from negotiations and pursue other targets if he failed to indicate his intentions.
A source close to Anfield told Football Express News the 27-year-old was one of the central defenders in which they were interested, but they always felt he would jump at the chance to remain in his homeland if the opportunity presented itself.
The Italy international is set to agree a four-year deal with Lazio in the next 48 hours according to Il Tempo, dashing his club’s hopes of getting him to commit to a fresh contract extension.
His current arrangement at Cagliari has less than 12 months left to run.
Champions Juventus were also circling following the appointment of Massimiliano Allegri as manager.
Allegri was swiftly installed as the new man at the helm following the shock resignation of Antonio Conte, who led the Turin giants to three successive domestic titles but quit one day after the start of pre-season.
The new man in charge is said to be a keen admirer of Astori, but looks to have missed out.