Scott Redding closing on Gresini Honda MotoGP deal?

Scott Redding is on the brink of signing a deal to move to MotoGP with Fausto Gresini’s Honda squad in 2014.

The agreement would see the rising British star, who is currently leading the Moto2 world championship by 30-points, ride a production Honda RC213V in 2014 before switching to a prototype machine for 2015.

Talks between Gresini and Redding were first revealed by MCN in mid-June, with the Italian team boss approaching the 20-year-old after he claimed stunning back-to-back victories in Le Mans and Mugello.

Redding’s brilliant performances this season, which have seen him finish off the podium just twice in the opening seven races, have attracted major interest in the Marc VDS Racing rider.

Talks have taken place about a Ducati Desmosedici switch, while he has also been linked with ride on a new machine powered by Yamaha’s YZR-M1 motor that would be run in a bespoke Kalex frame.

Redding’s personal and Moto2 team manager Michael Bartholemy told MCN recently that a final decision on the Gloucestershire rider’s premier class plans would be made in the days after this weekend’s Sachsenring race.

Talks with Ducati and Yamaha are continuing but speculation was rife last night though that Redding is now close to finalising negotiations with Gresini.

That speculation only intensified on the eve of this weekend’s German Grand Prix when Redding was spotted entering a HRC truck with Gresini’s Communications and Marketing manager Carlo Merlini yesterday (Thursday).

MCN sources claim a deal is very close to being done, with Redding keen to ensure that his deal comes with a concrete assurance from both HRC and Gresini that he will switch to a factory-backed RC213V prototype in 2015.