Swansea City are working on a move to sign Porto midfielder Stephen Eustáquio, WalesOnline understands.
Head coach Vitor Matos has been keen to strengthen his midfield options before the close of the window, and the Canada international has emerged as a key priority ahead of Tuesday's deadline.
Deal details and current status
Reports in Portugal have suggested the Swans have agreed a package of around €4m for the Canada international, which would also include performance-related bonuses and a sell-on clause.
However, Swansea sources insist the move has not yet progressed to that point, but have confirmed the club are working on a deal for the 29-year-old.
Eustáquio's international and club pedigree
Eustáquio has been a regular for Canada, winning 61 caps and featuring in the last two World Cups. Earlier this summer, he captained his country and scored against South Africa, a goal that ultimately sent them through to the last 16 of the tournament.
He spent the second half of last season on loan at MLS side LAFC, and has just one minute of first-team action with Porto this season after three games. Nevertheless, he has plenty of experience with the Portuguese giants, racking up 12 goals and 11 assists in 157 games for the club.
Transfer background and summer signings
His arrival would address a key transfer priority for Matos, with the club's previous attempts to sign a midfielder coming up short. They had previously launched an ambitious move to sign Valencia's Andre Almeida, but he reportedly turned down the chance to make the move.
Senegalese youngster Ousseynou Fall Seck was another name on their list, but unexpected visa problems mean he's now likely to go elsewhere.
There is clearly still some work to be done before Eustáquio can be confirmed as a Swansea player, but Matos will be quietly hopeful of getting the deal over the line. Should he arrive, he would be the seventh new signing of the summer, following Stephen Welsh, Elijah Just, Joseph Opoku, Moussa Yeo, Tiago Parente and Ross Stewart.
