Defender Nicholas Ioannou has been heavily linked with a move to Nottingham Forest - but it has been claimed there could be a twist in any potential transfer.
Reports in his homeland had previously suggested a deal had been agreed for the Cypriot to join the Reds from APOEL Nicosia.
But Greek journalist Gerasimos Manolidis, from the newspaper Sportime, says that has now been “put on hold”.
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It is claimed Italian outfit Brescia Calcio have swooped in with a “better offer” after Forest “delayed sending the documents” to secure Ioannou’s switch.
Manolidis reports: “APOEL prefer to sell him to (the club) in Italy. The player though wants to go to England and #nffc.”
He adds: “Nicholas Ioannou had been informed that today (he) was flying to Nottingham. Meanwhile, Brescia showed up.
“I don’t have direct information. But #nffc will not raise their offer.”
Ioannou withdrew from the Cyprus national squad to face Montenegro at the weekend, amid the speculation about his future.
Reports in Cyprus say he asked not to be involved in his country’s 2-0 Nations League defeat for “personal reasons”.
Cypriot media outlet Goal said: “The anxiety for his football future is not unrelated to his decision to declare himself unprepared to play.”
