RIO DE JANEIRO, July 3 (Xinhua) -- Vasco da Gama is close to signing former Lyon and Lille midfielder Thiago Mendes on a free transfer, according to media reports in Brazil.

The 33-year-old's representatives have received a formal offer to join the Rio de Janeiro club on a deal that would run until December 2027, news outlet Globo Esporte said on Thursday.

It added the parties were expected to finalize an agreement within days.

Mendes has been without a club since ending an injury-riddled two-year spell at Qatar's Al-Rayyan last month.

Brazil's mid-season transfer window opens July 10 and runs until September 2. ■