Cruzeiro have agreed a deal, in principle, to bring Coritiba attacking midfielder Rafinha to the club for the 2013 season.
Rafinha, 29, has long been linked with a move to Chinese football, but with little progress on a deal in sight, has agreed terms with the Minas Gerais outfit.
Any deal is, though, dependent on Cruzeiro coming to an agreement with Coritiba – whom they still owe €500,000 from the sale of young star Dudu to Dynamo Kiev last season.
Once the outstanding debts have been settled, Cruzeiro will then look to negotiate a deal with the club for the 60% of his economic rights owned by the Paranaense outfit.
Rafinha would come to Belo Horizonte to offer competition for the club’s Argentine creative duo of Alejandro Martinuccio and Walter Montillo.
It is, as yet, unknown who will manage the Mineiro side next season, with current incumbent Celso Roth already confirmed to be leaving the club this January.
