Cardiff City are poised to beat Middlesbrough and Bristol City to the signing of Luton Town striker James Collins.
The Bluebirds are in the market for a forward this summer, with Mick McCarthy keen to bring someone in to ease the burden on Wales international Kieffer Moore.
Cardiff already have Mark Harris and Max Watters in place, however both have a real dearth of Championship experience and it is felt more nous and know-how is needed if City are to really trouble those promotion spots next term.
And Republic of Ireland international Collins, who notched 13 goals for the Hatters this term, is someone who has caught the eye of not only Cardiff, but their former boss Neil Warnock at Middlesbrough and Severnside rivals Bristol City.
TeessideLive, however, have claimed that Boro are resigned to losing Collins, who is poised to join the Bluebirds on a free transfer this summer.
Collins, who McCarthy handed his international debut to, boasts a terrific goalscoring record, having posted impressive numbers at each of his former clubs.
The 30-year-old frontman has 72 goals in 183 games for Luton, but, importantly, his style of play will suit Cardiff down to the ground - should the deal get over the line.
He is physical, abrasive and is adept at being deployed as a target man, which will be central to how City play next season.
The striker, who has eight caps for Ireland, has 188 goals to his name and will bring considerable clout to a forward line which has been lacking goals beyond Kieffer Moore.
Signing Collins on a free tallies up with how Cardiff are likely to conduct their transfer business this summer, utilising both the loan market and free agents.
Chairman Mehmet Dalman on Friday said the club had already identified "three or four" targets and admitted a striker was among the priority signings.
It appears Cardiff are edging towards crossing that off their list.
