Club Banfield have agreed to allow left midfielder Luciano Civelli to join the Blues, according to reports in Argentina. Banfield are reported to have signed all the papers relating to the deal but with Town yet to complete the formalities at their end.

Again the terms of the move are reported to be a 50% stake in the player, although there is still no confirmation that this is the case, any details as to precisely what this would mean or whether it is Banfield or an outside interest which would own the other half of the player. Neither club has as yet commented on the make up of the deal.

The fee is said to be US$1 million (around £700,000), higher than weekend reports of a US$800,000 (around £500,000) deal but lower than initial claims of a price in the region of US$1.5 million (around £1 million).

If the move is progressing as the Argentinian press is reporting, it's likely that Civelli, who holds an Italian passport so would not be required to apply for a work permit, will be in the UK for talks regarding personal terms in the next few days.

Civelli, 6ft 1½in tall, started his career as a left-back but now operates as a left midfielder. He is said to be a good crosser of the ball and a strong tackler. Prior to Town's interest, Civelli was linked with a move to Greek side AEK Athens and is the younger brother of Olympique Marseille sweeper Renato.

Pehuajó-born Civelli has made 68 appearances for his club, scoring eight goals since making his debut in 2006. Nicknamed 'Lucho', he was previously with hometown side Estudiantes Unidos de Pehuajó.

Town scouts Steve McCall and Simon Hunt spotted Civelli on their recent trip to Argentina looking for January additions to the squad.

Last month, chief executive Derek Bowden told TWTD that the club are liaising with Argentinian scout Horacio Lorda, who was previously involved in the deal which saw Mauricio Taricco join the Blues, in order to avoid some of the pitfalls involved in signing players from South America: "We will use an intermediary who is well versed in how things work in Argentina and will be very diligent and careful that we don't fall foul of any regulation.”

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