Leicester City are battling Inter Milan hard to sign Sampdoria forward Eder, with a conclusion either way expected in the coming days.
Roberto Mancini’s Inter are leading the race for the £10million man, despite offering smaller wages, but the Premier League leaders still hold out hope landing him.
But what do we know about the 29-year-old? Sportsmail takes a look.
Sampdoria forward Eder (right) in action against Napoli midfielder Jorginho in Serie A on Sunday
Where does he play?
Eder is pretty versatile, able to play anywhere across the front three and has been utilised wide by Sampdoria.
Antonio Conte has asked the same of him for Italy – Eder made his debut in March last year.
He impressed internationally and should be in the squad for Euro 2016.
Hang on, I thought he was Brazilian?
Eder was born in Brazil but of Italian heritage thanks to his grandfather, the call-up along with Franco Vazquez by Conte causing national uproar.
He did, however, endear himself to the public by bailing Italy out away at Bulgaria – his equaliser to clinch a draw was crucial in qualifying.
England’s Phil Jagielka (left) thrashes clear under pressure from Italy’s Eder in Turin last March
Why are Leicester interested?
He’s an international available for around £10m whose engine and work-rate is not too dissimilar to that of Jamie Vardy’s.
It’s a no-brainer, really. Eder will run tirelessly all game and would not compromise Leicester’s style or ethos, looking for that extra injection to push on in their title bid.
Is he effective on the ball as well?
Certainly – Eder has 40 goals in 101 Serie A starts for Sampdoria, a large proportion of those not through the middle, either.
A clever player, knowing when to drift into pockets of space at opportune times and not afraid of a pot-shot.
Direct runner on the ball and is more productive on the left than right.
Eder (right) is available for around £10m and his work-rate is not too dissimilar to that of Jamie Vardy’s
Why hasn’t the Premier League been interested sooner?
At 29, Eder is only just starting to really hit his stride. He has always scored goals but flitted in between the top two divisions in Italy over the last 10 years before settling at Sampdoria in 2012.
He slipped under the radar until last season’s partnership with Manolo Gabbiadini, who was bought by Napoli this time last year.
But it looks like Leicester will miss out?
Inter Milan vice-president Javier Zanetti indicated overnight that it looked as if they have beaten the Foxes to Eder’s signature.
It was understood he always preferred to remain in Italy if possible, although it is interesting Roberto Mancini wants to land him – the very man who opposed the international stripes last year.
Javier Zanetti indicated overnight that it looked as if Inter had beaten Leicester City to Eder’s signature
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