Torino are now the favourites for Crotone creative midfielder Junior Messias.
The 30-year-old Brazilian impressed during his debut Serie A season, even though the Squali were eventually relegated.
He contributed nine goals and four assists in 36 top flight appearances.
According to Sportitalia transfer expert Alfredo Pedullà, Torino have surged into the lead for the player who spent most of his career as a part-timer, delivering washing machines on the side to make ends meet.
He had also been linked with several other Serie A clubs, above all Cagliari and Genoa, but it seems as if he could move to the Granata.