Rio de Janeiro, Jul 23 (IANS): Former Real Madrid and Brazil international forward Julio Baptista is negotiating a move to Brazilian football club Cruzeiro.

The 31-year-old had this week held talks with Cruzeiro director Alexandre Mattos in Spain and is understood to be close to agreeing terms with the Belo Horizonte club, reports Xinhua.

"It now depends on him," Mattos said. "But if I came here it is because we thought we could sign him."

"He is excited and has indicated he wants to come. He wants to try to force his way back in the national team. He is a very strong player with a lot of quality and will be going to a club that is structured that pays wages on time and that will support him as he adapts to Brazilian football."

Baptista is a free agent after rescinding his contract with La Liga outfit Malaga last week.

He began his career as a defensive midfielder with Sao Paulo in 2000, had spells with Sevilla, Real Madrid, Arsenal and Roma before joining Malaga in 2011.

He has also won 47 caps for Brazil but has not been called up for his country since the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.