Aston Villa are set to make a move for Nicolae Dica, according to Romanian sources.
The 26-year-old is hoping to take advantage of Romania's new EU status which will allow any player from that country to play in England without the need of a work-permit.
Dica is the star of the Steaua Bucharest side which has lifted the Romanian title for the last two seasons.
The dynamic forward is now being strongly linked with a move to England, with Aston Villa named as a likely bidder.
Former Chelsea ace Dan Petrescu - now manager of Unirea Urziceni - feels Dica would be an excellent signing for Villa boss Martin O'Neill.
"I know their manager, Martin O'Neill, very well. He needs a creative player," he told Gazeta Sporturilor.
"I saw their match against Chelsea on Tuesday and I realised that he is right.
"Dica would have his place there, I'm sure, but it all depends on how hard he wants to play.
"Most of the Romanian players who went abroad had problems because of their mentality. What they said about managers plotting against them is nonsense.
"The manager is not a fool, and if you want to play and you are serious, they put you in the team."