Newcastle United hope to make it January signing number three today ahead of Bruno Guimaraes' medical in Brazil.
The 24-year-old midfielder was an unused sub for Brazil's 1-1 draw against Ecuador in the World Cup qualifiers last night but his agent Alexis Malavolta was pictured preparing for the journey to Belo Horizonte on his Instagram for his routine medical examination.
It is expected that Newcastle's medical team will also join the midfielder as the club look to clinch the £33.5million.
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Co-owner Amanda Staveley and head coach Eddie Howe watched Saudia Arabia's 1-0 win over Oman in the World Cup qualifiers last night at King Abdullah Sports City.
But the pair were kept informed as Newcastle are understood to have agreed both a fee and payment structure for the Brazil star, as well as add ons and clauses.
Personal terms are agreed in principle as Newcastle wait for news in the Middle East from South America for the deal to be completed.
United have already signed Kieran Trippier and Chris Wood but the deal for the Lyon ace will take their spending over the £80million mark by the time all the fees have been totted up.
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