The Ivory Coast Football Association have revealed they will make an official approach for Guus Hiddink as their new manager.
The Elephants are on the lookout for a new coach following the sacking of Vahid Halihodzic after he failed to guide them past the quarter-finals of the African Cup of Nations in January, and it seems they are closing in on an appointment.
The Ivorians lost 2-0 to South Korea at Loftus Road on Wednesday night with Sven Goran Eriksson in attendance, but president Jacques Anouma has revealed Hiddink is the preferred choice.
"Guus is one of the people we have contacted about becoming coach. Probably in the middle of next week something will be concluded," Anouma said, before denying an approach for the former England boss.
"Sven has not been contacted but there were a lot of coaches at Loftus Road for the match and some have contacted me.
"Of the three or four in contention to become the next coach, Guus is the person we want but we are still talking to him.
"Talks are on going but nothing has been decided."
Hiddink is currently under contract with Russia until the end of June, while he has agreed to take up the position with Turkey at the start of August.
Ivory Coast face a tough group at the World Cup as they line up alongside five-time world champions Brazil, as well as Portugal and North Korea in Group G.