Nottingham Forest-linked Uche Ikpeazu is said to be closing in on a £1m move to Championship rivals Middlesbrough.
The Reds had reportedly been eyeing up the Wycombe Wanderers striker as boss Chris Hughton looks to bolster his forward options this summer.
Arch-rivals Derby County and Millwall were also said to be keen, but it is Boro who look to have won the race for his signature.
The Daily Record claim Neil Warnock’s side “have agreed” an initial £750,000 fee for the 26-year-old, which will rise to £1m with bonuses.
It comes after ex-Red Britt Assombalonga - who has been linked with a return Trentside - and Ashley Fletcher both left the Riverside Stadium this summer.
And Ikpeazu would follow Sammy Ameobi in making the move to the north east, with the winger putting pen to paper for Middlesbrough earlier this week, having been released by Forest at the end of his contract.
As part of a summer restructuring of his squad, bringing in at least one front man is a priority for Reds manager Hughton as he targets a top-six challenge.
A number of potential options are believed to be on the club’s radar, but so far, no new additions have been forthcoming.
“The excitement for me is building and developing a part-new squad, and, hopefully, continuing some of the good work we’ve done," Hughton has said.
“I think it’s an open Championship - apart from the three teams who have come down will be favourites to go back up.
“I hope, by the time the window finishes, we have a squad that’s capable of challenging for the play-off positions.”
Ikpeazu suffered relegation with Wycombe during the season just gone, as they went straight back down to League One.
He made 31 Championship appearances, scoring six goals and providing four assists.
