Roma today claimed to have agreed a deal with Leeds for the permanent transfer of Olivier Dacourt.
Roma sporting director Franco Baldini said that 28-year-old Dacourt had agreed personal terms on a three-year deal and said he expected the move to be finalised later today or tomorrow.
"Dacourt will stay in Rome until 2006," said Baldini. "I have sent a fax to Leeds this morning regarding our talks last week and the deal should be officialised between today or tomorrow."
Dacourt joined Roma in January on loan from Leeds for whom he signed three years previously from French club Lens for £7.2million.
Leeds and Roma agreed a transfer fee of £4.2million if Roma opted to take up their option to sign the player at the end of the loan deal.
However, the Italians have succeeded in bringing the fee down slightly for the France international midfielder.
"The amount agreed is slightly lower than the amount previously requested by Leeds and there will not be any Roma players included in the agreement," said Baldini.
Dacourt has made 15 league appearances for the Rome outfit and is highly rated by Fabio Capello.