Bolton boss Sam Allardyce says the club's hopes of signing Nicolas Anelka lie with Fenerbahce.
Anelka wants to leave the Turkish side for the Reebok Stadium but Allardyce remains cautious.
"We are interested in Nicolas but we're in the hands of Fenerbahce," he said. "We would like Nicolas and we're flattered he would like to join us.
"But we can't quite get the Fenerbahce president to put rubber-stamp it. We hope it will be done soon."
Anelka, the former Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester City forward, says he has told Fenerbahce boss Zico he wants to leave.
"My wish is to return to the Premier League and it could materialise soon," the 27-year-old told French sports newspaper L'Equipe.
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"I have an agreement with Bolton on the basis of a four-year contract. I hope it will be finalised this week."
Anelka has won 31 caps for France, scoring seven goals, but was not included in the World Cup squad.
Portsmouth boss Harry Redknapp also expressed an interest in Anelka but admitted the asking price was too high.
Anelka made his name at Arsenal where he spent two seasons before moving to Real Madrid, costing the Spanish giants £23m.
However, he lasted only one season in Spain before moving on to Paris St Germain, Liverpool and Manchester City before arriving at Fenerbahce.