Kevin-Prince Boateng is close to a move back to AC Milan, according to his agent.
The Ghanaian international has been training and playing in friendlies with the Serie A club for the past two months after he was suspended by Schalke 04 in May.
The midfielder is now believed to be close to a deal that will bring his contract with the Bundesliga club to an end early, so that he can join Milan in January.
The player's agent Federico Pastorello told MilanNews: "We have taken an important first step and now we look to end the agreement with Schalke in the next few days.
"Once that is done, we will find an agreement with Milan. The coach has confirmed that he wants him and that was the most important thing – to have the okay from the coach, who had to make a decision.
"He has a great desire to do well and make a contribution and he will be very useful to the coach. Kevin has a great desire for redemption after some difficult months and he wants to also repay the faith that Milan have shown in him."
Boateng previously played for Milan between 2010 and 2013, where he made 74 appearances and scored 10 goals in all competitions.