Lisbon, June 30 (IANS) French midfielder Giannelli Imbula is a small step away from joining Porto football club next season, according to Portuguese media on Tuesday.

The transfer deal exceeds 20 million euros ($22.39 million), according to reports, which also confirmed that the 22-year-old was already in Porto to sign the contract, reports Xinhua.

Imbula will replace Brazil’s Casemiro, who went back to Real Madrid after being loaned to Porto.

Imbula was born in Belgium, but has dual French and Congolese citizenship. He started in 39 matches with Olympique Marseille last year, scoring two goals.