Christian Bassila is set to reject a move to Sunderland in favour of joining Auxerre.
The Premiership side thought they had captured the 27-year-old after he spent last week on trial with Mick McCarthy's men.
But it appears the former Lyon and Rennes player, whose contract at Strasbourg was cancelled by mutual consent on Sunday, has now had a change of heart and opted to stay in Ligue 1.
"Everything is going okay, there are just a few things that are being negotiated," Auxerre vice-president Gerard Bourgoin told L'Equipe.
"Christian wants to come to Auxerre and he corresponds perfectly to the profile we are looking for.
"The negotiations are going well. A definite decision will be made today."
Bassila's decision, should he sign for Auxerre, will come as a big blow for McCarthy, who is attempting to bolster his midfield ranks after two successive defeats on the club's return to the Premiership.
