Newcastle United have agreed a deal to sign Lyon midfielder Bruno Guimarães.
Sources have confirmed that terms have been reached between the clubs, thought to be in the region of £33million plus add-ons.
It is hoped that Guimarães, 24, will complete his medical in South America on Friday, where he is currently on international duty with Brazil.
Lyon midfielder Bruno Guimarães is heading to Newcastle after the clubs agreed a £33m deal
Head coach Eddie Howe had identified the holding midfield role as a key position this month
Newcastle’s hierarchy – led by co-owner Amanda Staveley, who is with the squad at their Saudi Arabia training camp – have been negotiating with the French club all week and struck an agreement on Thursday.
Head coach Eddie Howe has identified the holding role as a priority position and there is now confidence that Guimarães will be a Newcastle player in the coming days.
If so, he will become the third signing of the January window, following Kieran Trippier and Chris Wood.
Guimarães – a deep-lying playmaker – has been capped three times by his country and has won rave reviews in France since joining Lyon from Athletico Paranaense two years ago.
Chris Wood (left) and Kieran Trippier (right) have already joined Newcastle in this window
He has scored three times from 71 appearances for the Ligue 1 club.
He is set to become Newcastle’s second-most expensive signing, behind compatriot Joelinton, who cost £40m in the summer of 2019.
Meanwhile, Newcastle have also spoken to Bundesliga side Mainz about Dutch U21 international centre back Jerry St Juste.
Talks are ongoing with Brighton over Dan Burn while Liverpool have said they want £15m for Nat Phillips should they revive that option.
