Asuncion, Feb 1 (IANS) Brazilian Serie A champions Corinthians are close to signing Libertad and Paraguay international defender Fabian Balbuena, the player’s agent said.

The 24-year-old has been identified as a replacement for central defender Gil, who left the Sao Paulo club to join China’s Shandong Luneng on January 18, reports Xinhua.
“We have received a proposal from Corinthians and the matter should be resolved by Tuesday,” Balbuena’s agent Renato Bittar told Paraguayan radio station Radio AM 180 on Sunday.
Balbuena made his international debut in Paraguay’s 1-0 friendly loss to Mexico in Kansas City last March.
Corinthians have lost five players since clinching the Brazilian Serie title for a sixth time in December. Those who have left are Ralf, Jadson, Renato Augusto and Gil — all to Chinese Super League clubs — and Alexandre Pato to Chelsea.

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