Valencia are reportedly close to announcing Cesare Prandelli as their new manager to replace the sacked Pako Ayestaran.
The club are keen to get the former Italian national team manager in as quickly as possible after being informed by the RFEF that their number one target Marcelino would not be able to take the reigns due to his spell at Villarreal running into this season.
Various press reports including in Super Deporte and Plaza Deportiva suggest that a move is imminent, and the new manager could even be in place ahead of Valencia hosting Atletico Madrid on Sunday.
Prandelli reportedly had dinner with Valencia sporting director Jesus Garcia Pitarch in Italy on Thursday, where he confirmed that he would be eager to take the role, although he wanted reassurances that he would be backed heavily in the January transfer window.
Sources close to the 59-year-old – who counts Lecce, Verona, Venezia, Parma, Roma, Fiorentina and Galatasaray among his former managed clubs – say that 'the deal is making good progress'.
The only potential stumbling block is Peter Lim sanctioning the move – the club's owner reportedly wants to ensure he does not distance himself from the fans further with an unsuccessful appointment.
