Kobe Bryant said on Tuesday that his potential deal with Virtus Bologna remains "up in the air". 

But Virtus president Claudio Sabatini has indicated that a decision may be close.

"We exchanged some papers with Kobe's management. We are working hard to have him with us from the beginning of the coming week. I really think that by the end of the day we can have a final answer. I hope to see him with Virtus Bologna's jersey next Wednesday against Benetton Treviso."