Antonio Cassano could make his dream return to Sampdoria as the club are evaluating his signing, according to Antonio Romei, the solicitor of club president Massimo Ferrero.
Cassano, 33, has repeatedly stated his desire to end his career with the Blucerchiati and is available on a free transfer after walking away from crisis-hit Parma midway through last season.
However, Samp appointed Walter Zenga as their new coach this summer and he has made it clear that while he rates the striker, he cannot see a place for Cassano in his side.
That has not stopped the club from working on a solution to bring Cassano back to Genoa -- where he starred between 2007-2010 and helped Samp qualify for the Champions League -- and Romei told local television station Telenord that talks are ongoing.
"It's not true that there is resistance either from Zenga or Ferrero, who is actually pushing for him to come," Romei said. "It's no secret that Antonio wants to return to Samp and we're evaluating this option.
"We need to work out if Cassano is compatible with our project. Of course the squad is very important, as is the coach. We're working serenely and our relationship with Antonio is excellent. Let's just see what happens in the next few days."
Cassano, who was once the world's most expensive teenager when he joined Roma for around €30 million at the age of 19, left Samp in 2010 after he refused to attend a fan awards ceremony, then had a bust-up with the late president Riccardo Garrone which resulted in his contract being terminated.
Samp finished seventh in Serie A last season, qualifying for the Europa League.