Inter Milan reportedly expect to complete the signature of Manchester United striker Javier Hernandez within a week.
According to Italian source Tutto Mercato Web, talks between the San Siro giants and the forward’s representatives have already begun and are likely to reach an advanced stage in the next 48 hours.
The pint-sized Mexico international has become Inter’s main summer transfer target after several failed attempts to snap up Manchester City hitman Stevan Jovetic on loan.
A deal for Hernandez could even be completed before Tuesday, when the two teams face each other in a friendly in Washington as part of their respective tours of the USA.
If negotiations are still ongoing at that stage, ambitious Inter owner Erick Thohir will tell officials to use the match as an opportunity to sit down and thrash out a deal to secure the attacker’s services.
He sees the 26-year-old as the ideal candidate to provide an effective foil for regulars Mauro Icardi and Rodrigo Palacio.
Hernandez’s future at Old Trafford seems bleak in light of last season’s status of fourth-choice striker, and new manager Louis van Gaal’s close working relationship with compatriot Robin van Persie.
He finds himself behind Wayne Rooney, van Persie and Danny Welbeck in the battle for a starting berth and has even lost his place in the Mexico side.
He has two years remaining on his contract.