Harry Clarke is reportedly set to leave Hibs in order to join Stoke City.
The versatile defender penned an 18-month loan deal from Arsenal in January, but that included a break clause that can be exercised.
And that looks to be the case with the Potters set to swoop.
Clarke said last month that he was open to a long-term stay in Leith, but now appease to be heading for an early exit.
Michael O’Neill hopes to have a deal done in time for Clarke, who spent the first part of last season on loan at Ross County, to join up with his squad in time to start pre-season training, reports the Stoke Sentinel.
O’Neill, who was formerly based in Edinburgh while in charge of Northern Ireland, was spotted on a scouting mission at Easter Road last month.
And he now wants Clarke to fill the right back-shaped hole in his Stoke squad after the departure of Tommy Smith.
Speaking on his future towards the end of last season, Clarke said: “As far as I’m concerned, I’m here till the end of next season. And I’m looking forward to that.
“There are break clauses but, as far as I’m concerned, I’m here for another 12 months.
“It’s just about coming to a bigger club, performing on a big platform at Easter Road, where there are more fans, and proving to people what I can do.
“It’s an amazing club, amazing staff and they make you feel at home.
“That’s important when you come on loan from a big club that you don’t feel isolated and the players here are amazing, it’s a good bunch of boys."
