Roma are on the verge of completing the permanent transfer of Olivier Dacourt from Leeds United.

The 28-year-old has been on loan from financially-crippled Leeds since January and is set to move for œ3.5 million.

‘Dacourt will stay in Rome until 2006,’ said Roma’s sportingdirector Franco Baldin.

‘I have sent a fax to Leeds this morning regarding our talks last week and the deal should be officialised between today or tomorrow.’

Leeds and Roma originally agreed a fee of œ4.2 million forthe French midfielder but the Italians have persuaded Leeds to accept a slightly reduced fee.

‘The amount agreed is slightly lower than the amount previously requested by Leeds and there will not be any Roma players included in the agreement,’ said Baldini.