Alberto Contador 'to sign for Trek-Segafredo on Tour de France rest day'

Sources close to the team have told Cyclingnews that, after lengthy negotiations with the Spaniard, a deal for next season is expected to be finalised over the course of the rest day, with pen to be put to paper by Monday evening.

No official announcement will be able to be made until the UCI's transfer window opens on August 1.

33-year-old Contador, who was scheduled to retire at the end of the 2016 season before revising his plans, has been on the hunt for a new team, with Tinkoff set to fold at the end of this season as Russian businessman Oleg Tinkov, the team's owner, withdraws his investment in the sport. The seven-time Grand Tour winner was first linked to Trek back in May, with Lampre-Merida also showing interest.

Cyclingnews understands that the key negotiations took place in the aftermath of the Critérium du Dauphiné last month, where the Trek-Segafredo management sat down with Contador and his representatives, namely his brother and agent Fran Contador. Contador has said recently that, whichever team he signs for, he would like a two-year contract, keeping him in the peloton through to the end of 2018 , though one option discussed with Trek was a one-year deal with an option for a second.

The deal is likely to see Contador bring a number of personnel, including riders and staff, with him from Tinkoff as Trek prepare to bolster their Grand Tour credentials. Bauke Mollema has given the American team top tens at the Tour de France, while 2012 Giro d'Italia winner Ryder Hesjedal is a secondary leader, but they have been on the hunt for a marquee GC name and, after talks with Astana's Vincenzo Nibali went cold earlier in the year, Contador is set to be it.

Contador has endured a difficult start to the Tour de France, crashing twice on the opening two stages and consequently suffering to the extent that he alread finds himself 1:21 down on reigning champion Chris Froome and the other GC favourites.

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