PARIS, France (AP) — Paris Saint-Germain have agreed a deal with Brazilian club Sao Paolo to sign highly rated midfielder Lucas in January on a five-year deal, underlining both the French club's massive strength in the transfer market and their newfound allure.

PSG did not give any financial details of the transfer and said in a statement yesterday that Lucas will join the club after the winter break ends in January 2013.

The 19-year-old Lucas became one of Brazil's most-talked-about players after helping Brazil win the Under-20 South American championship in February. Manchester United were among the other clubs reportedly keen to sign him.

He is the latest high-profile signing to join PSG, which last month signed Serie A top-scorer Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Brazil defender Thiago Silva from AC Milan to take their spending to more than (euro) 200 million ($247 million) since Qatari owners QSI took over in June last year.

The acquisition of Lucas will take that spending to close to (euro) 250 million, with Brazilian reports estimating the total cost of the transaction at around (euro) 43 million.

PSG begin the new season at home to Lorient on Saturday night.