Bruno Guimaraes is understood to have passed his medical ahead of his sensational move to Newcastle United.
The deal is yet to be announced by the Magpies and Lyon but the clubs are confident that it will be concluded.
A Newcastle delegation, led by head of recruitment Steve Nickson, have spent the last two days in Brazil with his medical taking place in Belo Horizonte.
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Newcastle have beaten some heavyweight clubs to Bruno's signature including Arsenal and Juventus.
Howe, who is on his way back from Saudi Arabia with the rest of the squad and co-owner Amanda Staveley, said yesterday: "We are hopeful we're close to completing a transfer on a player.
"We will try to give you that update as soon as we have it.
"Fingers crossed we are close to getting one over the line.
"It would be foolish of me to confirm anything but we are hopeful of getting another player and adding to the two quality players we have already."
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