Even if it's true these personal agreements are just shit, they mean nothing. Vidal agreed to Munchen and he went to Juve; probaly the same case with Aguero. These personal agreements are also arranged by agents, these people may want to struck as much as negotiations they can to make cash.
How could we possibly know how close we are to him until Jan? We seem to reach personal agreements with lots of players. Has anyone seem him play yet and do they have an informed opinion of him? It seems difficult to predict how center backs will go here with Bonucci flopping so hard and Barza performing so well under Conte. If we really wanted to be sure we would buy someone proven in a good team. Alex would have been nice.
I've only watched that one game where he was up against the likes of Neymar and I can tell he's a good defender, not on the same level as Bonucci's dubious defensive skill. Youtube replays will show that he's technically gifted. Fits Conte's gameplan in my opinion.
Honestly I would prefer Rhodolfo over Alex, Rhodolfo is younger and cheaper so he has the potential to become bigger. If Conte can get the best of him like Grosso and Barzagli, it would be great.