Inverness Caley will continue talks with Romania striker Marius Niculae today, but have given up hope of him joining them in Italy.
Competition from clubs in Switzerland and Turkey could see Inverness lose out on the 26-cap striker, who is a free agent after leaving German club Mainz.
But director of football Graeme Bennett still hopes the 26-year-old can be persuaded to make the Highlands his new home.
Bennett said: "Marius is back home thinking things over but we'll talk again over the weekend.
"We'd hoped he'd agree in time for Italy but nothing is settled."
