Sinisa Mihajlovic is set to be appointed as the new coach of AC Milan after holding talks with president Silvio Berlusconi and general manager Adriano Galliani on Wednesday.
Former Roma, Sampdoria, Lazio and Inter Milan midfielder Mihajlovic, who was assistant to Roberto Mancini at Inter until 2008, announced his departure from Sampdoria on Monday.
And after former Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti had turned Milan down the following day, they turned their attentions to Mihajlovic, with the Serb due to be shown around the club's Milanello training ground on Thursday.
La Gazetta dello Sport reported that once current coach Filippo Inzaghi has been officially relieved of his duties, the path will be clear for Mihajlovic to be appointed.
He led Sampdoria to a place in next season's Europa League after they finished seventh with 56 points, four more than Milan managed under Inzaghi.
That achievement saw him linked with Napoli and Turkish club Fenerbahce -- but the former Inter man now appears certain to join their arch-rivals.
Milan are keen to resolve the issue as soon as possible so that planned investment in the squad can begin.
Berlusconi has vowed to return his club to the top of the Italian game as they prepare for a second straight season without European football.