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According to the Italian and Brazilian media, Roma have come to an agreement with Fluminense over the transfer of 25-year-old Marquinho, but the transfer cannot be completed until the Brazilian side have brought in Thiago Neves.

The Corriere dello Sport claims the two clubs have come to an agreement whereby Marquinho would join the Giallorossi on a six-month loan (until the end of the Italian season) with an option to buy the player outright in the summer.

When quizzed about the move, the player’s agent, Márcio Rivellino, revealed that Marquinho has turned down a lucrative offer from the Far East in order to fulfil a ‘dream’ move to Rome.

“He has said no to a very highly paid offer from China, we are talking around €1.8m a year, because he dreams of playing in Europe and proving himself in an important league, and he is very happy at the possibility of going to Roma”, Rivellino said in an interview with calciomercatoweb.it.

“He told me himself that “it would be a dream, I went on holiday to Rome and fell in love with the city”. If this move comes about, I am sure that he would be happy. He will only leave Fluminense for a big club and an important league, which is why he is tempted by Roma, a team he has always admired”.

Marquinho would be able to slot easily into Luis Enrique’s setup, either forming part of the midfield trio, playing as the trequartista, or as one of the two front men, who do not operate strictly as strikers but more as inside forwards. However, Fluminense are looking to bring in Thiago Neves for a third spell at the club before they will consider letting Marquinho leave.

They face competition for his signature from Flamengo, who are looking to make his move from Al-Hilal permanent after signing him on loan 12 months ago. Talks have stalled between the two clubs though as Flamengo are reluctant to meet Al-Hilal’s asking price, which may open the door for Fluminense to steal in.

Roma are currently on the look-out for reinforcements from Brazil, and the formula of a loan with an option to buy would be ideal for sporting director and renowned transfer guru Walter Sabatini, who also has his eye on São Paulo’s Casemiro and Dedé of Vasco da Gama among others. However, only one of them would be able to join in the current transfer window due to the rules over signing two non-EU players; the Giallorossi have already signed Nicolás López from Nacional this month, leaving only one space left.