Real Betis and St Etienne have joined the race to sign Aston Villa striker Milan Baros.
Baros has struggled to find his best form this season and has been linked with several of Europe's top clubs, including Chelsea, Lyon and Werder Bremen.
Spanish sides Levante and Villarreal are also believed to be keen on the Czech Republic international, while Betis have now emerged as one of the frontrunners.
Betis boss Luis Fernandez is eager to recruit a new forward before the end of January and the club are understood to have made contact with Baros' agent.
They are rumoured to have offered Baros a lucrative deal, and are looking to capture his signature within the next few days.
According to reports in France, St Etienne are also determined to snap up Baros, with coach Ivan Hajek confident of persuading his Czech compatriot to sign.
Hajek has ambitious plans for St Etienne, and has already brought Japanese right-back Hayuma Tanakaun in on trial.
St Etienne midfielder Daniel Bilos, meanwhile, has been loaned out to America Mexico for the rest of the season, with a view to a permanent transfer.