Zenit St Petersburg are chasing Athletic Bilbao striker Fernando Llorente.
Punta Pelota says the move to the Russian Premier League side could be on in January.
Luciano Spalletti's team have already splashed out over 80m on Hulk and Axel Witsel in the summer, but could add to their burgeoning roster of foreign talent by bringing in the 27-year-old during the winter transfer window.