Redding in line to replace Lowes at Aprilia

Redding's current team Pramac Ducati confirmed on Thursday that it would not retain him for a third successive season next year, with the satellite outfit instead securing Jack Miller's services on its second bike.

That had left Redding's MotoGP future up in the air, with the former Moto2 runner-up linked with a possible return to the Marc VDS Honda outfit as well as a switch to World Superbikes.

But Redding is now expected to slot in alongside Aleix Espargaro at Aprilia next season, with the Italian marque understood to have decided to part ways early with Sam Lowes.

Lowes' graduation to the premier class of grand prix motorcycle racing had been sealed as early as 2015, and he completed the transition from Moto2 this year after two frontrunning seasons in the intermediate class.

But the Brit has endured a difficult start to his career in MotoGP's premier class.

He has been overshadowed by experienced team-mate Espargaro, prompting doubts about whether he would see out his two-year Aprilia deal.

Aprilia held talks with Alvaro Bautista and Danilo Petrucci - Redding's current team-mate at Pramac - about the possibility of replacing Lowes for 2018 earlier this year, but both turned down a move.

Heading into last weekend's Brno MotoGP round, Aprilia racing manager Romano Albesiano said Lowes still had to prove himself before his future was considered safe, but that team wanted to "give him more chance".