West Ham United are set to miss out on transfer target Alen Halilovic, with the Barcelona midfielder set to join Sporting Gijon on loan.
The Hammers had been linked with a move for the 19-year-old Croatian, but Halilovic's agent has indicated a loan deal with Gijon will be finalised as early as Friday.
"The player has already decided," he told Cadena Cope. "In principle, it is quite clear, though in football if the deal has not signed you never know.
"But there is an agreement between all parties and he will play there this year.
"He will sign there unless there is a serious problem, but I do not see where there could be a problem.
"On Friday we will sign, it cannot be before then because I'm away and I can't travel until Friday."