Roberto Rolfo is on the verge of signing to become Leon Haslam's team-mate in the new Stiggy Honda World Superbike squad.

The Italian was replaced at Althea Honda by Britain's Tommy Hill and was waiting on an agreement to partner Max Biaggi in the Aprilia Superbike team. It is believed the second RS4 seat has gone to MotoGP refugee Shinya Nakano.

The now appears to have gone by the wayside and paddock sources say the deal with Johan Stigefelt is 99 per cent done. He could put pen to paper this weekend at Portimao.