Sporting Lisbon cannot compete with West Ham United for Khalid Boulahrouz.
The 31 year-old Dutch defender has a year to run on his Sporting deal, but the cash-strapped Portuguese club won't block a move to the Boleyn Ground.
West Ham are offering Boulahrouz a two-year contract with the option of a third to return to London.
The defender has had a previous stint in England with Chelsea.