Benito Carbone is set to become what chairman Geoffrey Richmond describes as "the most glamorous and most exciting signing in the history of Bradford City".

Though Richmond refuses to confirm the identity of City's latest target, they are believed to have switched their attention to the Italian striker after failing in a bid to land West Ham's Paulo Wanchope.

The club plan to unveil their new signing at a press conference tomorrow.

Richmond said: "We will not confirm or deny any name because there is many a slip from where we are now and where we hope to be tomorrow morning.

"We believe we have an outstanding chance of getting our man. Terms have been agreed with all parties and all that remains is that the deal which has been agreed to be consummated.

"Manager Chris Hutchings, managing director Shaun Harvey and myself are meeting all the interested parties at a secret location well away from Bradford."

Hutchings said: "We won't confirm or deny anything, but if it all goes through it will be a fantastic signing."

The 28-year-old former Sheffield Wednesday player is without a club after rejecting Aston Villa's offer of a new contract worth £20,000 a week.

Carbone joined Villa last October after falling out with Wednesday and signed a contract until the end of the season.

Villa paid Wednesday £250,000 for him with the promise of a further £750,000 if he decided to join them on a longer-term contract, but they could not agree terms with him and the player is now a free agent.

Carbone scored nine goals in 30 appearances for Villa last season, having grabbed 26 in 107 games for Wednesday.

City, who have been searching for a striker all summer, had agreed a £4m deal with West Ham for 24-year-old Costa Rican Wanchope, but he looks set to join Premiership new boys Manchester City who agreed terms with club and player at the same time as City. He was due to have a medical at Maine Road yesterday, though he left without signing.

Richmond said: "It is disappointing we can't sign Paulo Wanchope, but we have been working on our new target for a few days in anticipation of the Wanchope deal not working out."