Bologna sports chief Walter Sabatini is moving for Shanghai SIPG striker Marko Arnautovic.
Il Corriere di Bologna says the Austrian wishes to leave China this month and has been offered to former club West Ham United.
Bologna are also keen and Sabatini is in contact with Arnautovic's minders.
The striker is demanding €3.5m-a-year to make the move - which is outside the Bologna's budget.
However, there is hope from Sabatini that Arnautovic's terms can be negotiated down.