Nicolas Pepe looks set to snub Manchester United and sign for Napoli instead.
United have been strongly linked with the Lille star all summer, but Pepe is poised for a move to Serie A .
The Red Devils had identified the Ivorian as a possible replacement for Romelu Lukaku, who is wanted by Inter Milan.
However, Pepe's agent was spotted at the Napoli team hotel to thrash out a deal for his client.
The Italian outfit, United, Inter and a fourth club are reported to have agreed terms with Lille, according to La Voix du Nord.
But it has been claimed Napoli have been able to steal a march on their rivals as they are willing to throw in €15m-rated Algerian international Adam Ounas as part of the deal.
Meanwhile, Napoli manager Carlo Ancelotti has confirmed he has held talks with Pepe's representatives.
"I've met with Pepe's agents," confirmed Ancelotti. "They were at our hotel.
"It is normal that we would meet to discuss eventual negotiations. It is pointless to hide it with his agents here: we are interested in Pepe.
"Pepe is a wide attacking player. We want to find someone who can play between the lines, without forgetting that Milik is a centre-forward, but also strong with his feet."
Ancelotti's admission comes as Pepe's agent Samir Khiat took to social media to deny Pepe is on the verge of signing for Manchester United .
Khiat uploaded a tweet claiming Pepe was close to joining the Old Trafford club and wrote "fake news" alongside it.
