AC Milan are lining up Genoa's Lucas Ocampos as a replacement for M'Baye Niang, who is set to join Watford on Thursday, according to the Italian club's sporting director Adriano Galliani.
Niang has been given permission to travel to London to complete a move to the Hornets after Milan coach Vincenzo Montella suggested that a transfer may be in everybody's best interests. He is set to follow Mauro Zarate and become Watford's second new signing from manager Walter Mazzarri's former league.
"It's practically done," Galliani told RAI when asked about Niang's departure. "We've already signed an agreement with Watford and [owner Giampaolo] Pozzo has told me that he already has an agreement with the player.
"We've given Niang permission to go to London for a medical. If he has decided to go to London, then I'm sure he will be able to agree financial terms."
With Niang set to leave, Galliani has wasted no time in identifying a replacement.
"Ocampos is our first choice," he said. "We've already spoken about it with Genoa and they are going to give us an answer in the next two or three days. We'll just wait, also because selling Ocampos would have a domino effect to the ins and outs at Genoa. Well that's just how the market is."
Niang has scored three goals in 18 Serie A appearances for Milan this season, but some of his recent performances have angered many of the club's fans with Montella also stating that his attitude had not been up to scratch.
Ocampos has also scored three goals this season, albeit in four fewer appearances for Genoa, whom he joined on loan from Marseille in the summer.