Hoffenheim coach Markus Babbel has revealed Gylfi Sigurdsson will sign for a Premier League club this week - but has not stated whether it will be Liverpool or Tottenham.
Tottenham, who on Tuesday confirmed Andre Villas-Boas as their new manager, are favourites to sign the 22-year-old Iceland international, who impressed while on loan at Swansea in the second half of last season.
Sigurdsson was set to join Swansea last month on a permanent deal, but backed out of talks when Brendan Rodgers left the club for Liverpool.
Since then, the midfielder has held talks with Rodgers about moving to Anfield, but it is widely thought he will join Villas-Boas at White Hart Lane.
Babbel has confirmed that a move is close, but has provided few other details.
"Gylfi Sigurdsson is nearing agreement with a Premier League club," he told Hoffenheim's official website.
"It's all about the final details. I am assuming that the transfer will be completed by the end of the week."
Sigurdsson is expected to cost in the region of £8m and his father had said at the weekend that he expected a deal to go through this week.
"Gylfi wants to play at the highest level possible – every player wants to do that – but the opportunity has to be right," said Sigurdur Adalsteinsson.
"He hasn’t made up his mind yet. There are plenty of clubs interested in him. There are some in Germany, but Gylfi wants to play in England.
"The main aim for Gylfi is to be in as good a team as he can be and play for the best club possible.
"He is no different to anyone else.
"Liverpool and Tottenham are both in Europe next season so that is not the question.
"I have seen the stories that he is demanding a certain amount of money per week and they are rubbish. He just wants a normal salary and to be on the same as other players at the club.
"The bottom line is he just wants to play and the main thing football-wise is to find the right team which will suit him the most.
"It always helps when you know the coach like Brendan Rodgers. He is a very good trainer. But does that mean Liverpool? Maybe, maybe not."