Bruno Guimaraes is understood to have told his agents to push through a move to Newcastle United.
His current club Lyon released a statement which at first glance looked like it was pouring cold water on reports from France and the UK that he was set to join the Magpies.
However, given Lyon's history of selling players, and their need to notify the stock market first, there is hope the transfer will still be completed.
Although, the transfer is layered with complexities given Newcastle are in Saudi Arabia and the midfielder is in Brazil on international duty and his medical would have to take place in South America.
The deal is still not agreed between the two clubs and the structure of the £33.5million fee seems to be a factor amid the negotiations.
The 24-year-old will play for Brazil against Ecuador and his medical is still scheduled for Friday.
Of course, things can change in a heartbeat in football, and not least in the January window in which some clubs have tried to take advantage of Newcastle's perceived spending power.
This morning's edition of L'Équipe suggested that Newcastle were still "holding the rope to conclude the deal in the coming days".
But notably, Juventus and Arsenal are still thought to be interested in the defensive midfielder and suggestions he could wait until June would put them back in the race.
The player himself said: "My objective at Lyon is to be champion."
Lyon currently sit slumped in 11th place in Ligue 1 and that won't be any time soon for Bruno Guimaraes.
As things stand the Lyon star is on international duty until February 2 so the transfer would need to be completed in Brazil.
From a Newcastle point of view that would hopefully be after the clash with Ecuador and before their game with Paraguay.
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