Milan close on Mattioni

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Felipe Mattioni's agent claims his client has agreed a deal with Serie A giants AC Milan.

The Brazilian full-back was known to be in talks with the Italian outfit, with his current employers Gremio leaking that information on Wednesday.

Now the 20-year-old is believed to be on the verge of becoming the latest South American import to head for Giuseppe Meazza.

"Felipe is already in Italy and will undergo a medical. He has signed a four-and-a-half year contract and he is ready to play," said Mattioni's agent Mino Raiola.

Mattioni was also reported to be attracting interest from Juventus, Manchester United and Ajax, but is delighted to have joined a club that has a history of bringing the best out of Brazilian talent.

"Arriving in Milan was always my dream, and now it has happened," he told Corriere dello Sport.

Pressure

The youngster, who can also operate in midfield, will not be forced to operate as one of Milan's non-EU players as he also holds an Italian passport.

While Mattioni is delighted to be fulfilling his dreams, Gremio director Andre Krieger has hit out at the player for the manner in which he has gone about securing the transfer.

"He has not handled himself in an ethical way. Perhaps under pressure from his agent, the player did not turn up for training," he said.

"We will see what legal action we can take."

No figures have been released for the deal although there will be a sell-on clause entitling Gremio to 10 per cent of any future transfer fee.