A German art historian is to be appointed director of the British Museum, according to reports.
Hartwig Fischer, 53, would be the institution's first foreign chief in almost 200 years were he to replace the outgoing Neil MacGregor.
The Times reported that Downing Street sources had confirmed his appointment. Mr Fischer's current employer the Dresden State Art Collections is also said not to have denied it.
Mr Fischer, the paper said, has never worked in Britain, studied art history for eight years in his twenties and likes to maintain a low profile.
His hiring ends a five-month search for a replacement for 68-year-old Mr MacGregor, who has been at the helm of the museum since 2002.
He announced his departure in April saying it was "a difficult thing" to decide to leave.
In his time in charge, Mr MacGregor led the British Museum to the top of the list of the UK's most popular visitor attractions for seven years in a row.
Data from VisitEngland showed nearly 6.7 million people walked through the doors of the museum in London last year, down 0.1 per cent on 2013.
Additional reporting by PA
