Jermaine Beckford has edged closer to leaving Leicester City.
A deal with Bolton Wanderers has finally been agreed, the Mercury understands.
Trotters boss Dougie Freedman has targeted striker Beckford since the end of last season. But talks have stalled for more than a month because the two clubs were said to be miles apart in their valuation of the 29-year-old Jamaica international.
But the Mercury understands that the two clubs have now agreed a fee for Beckford and the former Leeds United and Everton striker will discuss personal terms with Bolton and undergo a medical before the deal can be finalised.
The fee is undisclosed but is believed to be less than £1million. Although the amount City paid Everton for Beckford two years ago was also undisclosed it is believed it was around £3 million.
While City have taken a big hit on the sell-on fee, they are attempting to bring the wage bill down so they can confirm with the Financial Fair Play rules. It is believed Beckford was the club's highest earner.
Beckford didn't score in his first five games after arriving at the King Power Stadium under Sven-Goran Eriksson's reign as City boss.
But he went on to net 15 goals in his first campaign, six of which came in the FA Cup, including a hat-trick in the third-round replay victory over Nottingham Forest.
Beckford started the first three games of this season and made two more substitute appearances without scoring before City boss Nigel Pearson sent him out on loan to Huddersfield Town in September.
Beckford extended his loan with the Terriers for the rest of the campaign and went on to score nine times in 22 appearances.
Pearson has made no secret of the fact he wants to offload certain members of his squad and Beckford was on a list of seven players that has been circulated to other clubs.
