Ghana winger Christian Atsu's loan move to English side Everton from rivals Chelsea has delayed because of work permit problems and his personal terms.
The Toffees have reached an "agreement in principle" to sign the Chelsea winger on a season-long loan, manager Roberto Martinez has revealed.
A deal for the 22-year-old Ghana international is still subject to a work permit being received and the completion of other necessary paperwork.
Atsu must get the necessary paperwork from the Ghana Football Association proving that he has played 70 per cent of Black Stars matches in the past two years before he get an automatic work permit to play in the UK.
But, if completed, the move would mean a second successive year on loan for Atsu, who moved to Stamford Bridge from Porto for £3.5million last summer, but then headed out to Vitesse Arnhem.
Martinez told the Liverpool Echo: "Everything has been agreed with Christian - it's just a matter of finalising little details more with his work permit and personal situation.
"That will probably take a couple of days to get sorted but we have an agreement in principle to make the move as a loan deal until the end of the season."
Chelsea have not commented on the possibility of a deal.
Everton have already done business with the Londoners this summer, signing striker Romelu Lukaku for a club record £28 million following a successful loan last season.