RIO DE JANEIRO, Dec. 29 (Xinhua) -- China's Chongqing Lifan are reportedly close to signing veteran midfielder Fernandinho da Silva from Brazilian club Gremio.
Fernandinho's contract with Gremio expires on December 31, meaning the Chinese Super League club is free to secure the 32-year-old on a free transfer.
Brazil's Gazeta Esportiva newspaper said negotiations were "advanced" with both parties having agreed to financial terms.
Fernandinho, whose career has included spells with Italy's Hellas Verona and South Korean side Daejeon Citizen, was a key member of the Gremio side that won this year's Copa Libertadores, South America's top club trophy.
He played 58 matches in 2017 and scored 12 goals, including a superb long-range strike in the final against Argentina's Lanus.
Chongqing Lifan finished 10th in this year's Chinese Super League standings with nine wins and nine draws from 30 matches.
Former Portugal manager Paulo Bento replaced South Korean Chang Woe-ryong as the team's head coach earlier this month.
