Russian club Spartak Nalchik are expected to make an official offer to Birkirkara for Sylvano Comvalius, sources have told The Times.
Comvalius has reportedly impressed the Spartak Nalchik coaches during a three-day trial at the team's training base in Antalya.
The Dutch forward flew to Turkey on Sunday, the day after Birkirkara lost 1-0 to Sliema Wanderers in a BOV Premier League match.
The Stripes were reluctant to send Comvalius, 22, for a trial but eventually gave him permission to join Spartak Nalchik's training camp in Turkey after the Dutch striker agreed to a number of conditions the club set for his temporary release.
Comvalius, who is expected back in Malta today, joined Birkirkara from Ħamrun Spartans last summer on a two-year deal. The former Ajax trainee struggled to make his mark in the early part of the season but he gradually regained the form that made him one of the most coveted foreign players in the Premier League during his short spell with the Spartans. Comvalius is Birkirkara's leading league scorer with 11 goals.
Birkirkara, who are only one point behind leaders Valletta in the Premier League, are determined to hold on to Comvalius, especially now that the January transfer window has closed. The indications are that Spartak Nalchik, who play in Russia's Premier League, would have to lodge a very attractive offer to tempt Birkirkara to open talks over Comvalius.
Apart from Spartak Nalchik, South Korean club Incheon United had also been alerted to Comvalius by foreign agents who have contacts in Maltese football.
Meanwhile, Michael Mifsud is hopeful of tying up a deal with a new club in the coming days or weeks.
Mifsud has been tight-lipped over his future for much of the past seven months but his silence has only served to trigger endless speculation about his plans.
Last week, Mifsud, who has been without a club since his contract with Coventry City expired at the end of last season, was again linked with a move to Valletta while Qormi were also said to be interested in signing the Malta forward.
Rumour-mongers also speculated that Mifsud was seriously thinking about hanging up his boots but the 28-year-old has rubbished such stories.
"I've heard many untrue stories about my future," Mifsud told The Times. "There has also been talk that I'm considering retiring from the game but this is a big lie.
"My aim is to pursue my career abroad and I've received a number of proposals which I'm still evaluating."
Mifsud, who equalled Carmel Busuttil's record tally of 23 goals for Malta in the 4-1 home defeat to Bulgaria in a friendly match last November, can sign outside the transfer windows as he is out of contract.