Gabriel Sara is expected to be confirmed as a Norwich City player this week - after the Canaries thrashed out a deal with Sao Paulo.

Some media outlets had reported the terms of an initial £11m deal were a sticking point, with the Brazilians wanting a sizeable amount up front.

However, Goal's Thiago Fernandes reported a breakthrough in the last 24 hours between the clubs, with personal terms already agreed.

The final paperwork and a medical for the 23-year-old attacking midfielder needs to be completed, with Globo claiming on Sunday morning Sara will travel to the UK in midweek to undergo his medical.

The midfielder has been out since April with a right ankle injury.

According to Goal, the deal was 'closed' at £11m, with another £2m negotiated in potential add ons, plus a sell on fee.

Sara is set to sign a five year deal to become the Canaries' second summer signing after Isaac Hayden. City also headed off interest from Championship rivals West Brom, with the Baggies unable to reach agreement.

On Friday, the payment method remained an issue, with the Championship promotion favourites reportedly offering to pay in small instalments across a two-year period, while Sao Paulo were keen to bank more than 50pc this summer.

Talks between Sao Paulo president Julio Casares and City officials had reached an advanced stage the previous day, prompting Sao Paulo manager Rogerio Ceni to admit he expected his star midfielder to depart.

"I was informed by Sara (of his departure)," he said, after his side had booked a place in the quarter-finals of the Copa Sudamerica. "I'm sorry to be losing the player, but the management had already warned that we could lose someone.

"Sara is important to us, but life goes on. We have to try until we find some replacement in the market.

"We are very sorry for the loss of Sara, but we will be able to make up for this absence."

Tricolor's director of football, Carlos Belmonte, told ESPN recently the South American side were hoping to sell some high-value players, explaining why they're keen to receive a large portion of the fee now.

"Our wish is that some athletes, especially the athletes we consider most valued, in this case Gabriel Sara, Rodrigo Nestor and Wellington, who we believe are all double-digit players, that is, at least, to start a conversation, 10 million dollars," he said.

“But of course, if a proposal of 8 million comes, then a bonus, you keep a percentage of the athlete, all this can be discussed. But our desire is to sell only one athlete, it is the desire, that does not mean that we will sell only one.

"We may not sell any, we can sell two. Our desire is to sell only one athlete, then we would be able to reach the level budget and still keep the team competitive."