Manchester City are set to confirm Brazilian striker Jo as their record signing in a deal reportedly worth £18m.
City will stage a press conference later today after receiving go-ahead to complete the signing of the 21-year-old CSKA Moscow striker.
He will be new boss Mark Hughes’s first signing since taking over at Eastlands.
A spokesman for his agent, Kia Joorabchian, and the man at the centre of Carlos Tevez’s controversial move to England, has confirmed that the deal is a straightforward transfer between the two clubs and therefore unlikely to fall foul of the Premier League’s new stipulations on third-party owners.
The spokesman said: “CSKA Moscow have an agreement in place with his previous club Corinthians, who would collect a certain percentage of the sell-on fee.
“This is not, however, a third-party ownership. It’s an arrangement between two clubs and is no different from any other deals that contain such clauses.
“The agreement was put in place when CSKA signed him from the Brazilian club, which is contrary to some reports.
“Kia fully understands the rules regarding third-party ownership and the issue is not holding up any possible transfer.”
City’s executive chairman, Garry Cook, had earlier commented: “Jo is a player who interests us and we are currently in discussions with CSKA Moscow and his representatives.
“We are hopeful of progress and we are keeping in contact with the Premier League on the (third-party) issue.
“Manchester City are fully aware of the rules regarding third-party ownership of players and any transfers will be completed under Premier League regulations.”
