Guangzhou Evergrande and Brazil midfielder Paulinho has revealed that his agent is in discussions with Barcelona over a move to the Nou Camp this summer.
New Barcelona boss Ernesto Valverde will be hoping for significant reinforcements this summer ahead of his first season in charge, and the midfield has been one area where the Catalan giants have been linked with making changes.
Various names have been paired with a move to Spain, but it appears as though Paulinho could be on their radar as he has revealed that there is interest from Barca.
“There’s been contact with my agent. There’s an offer [from Barca], it’s true, and the two parties are talking,” he told Globoesporte.
“I’m really proud that a great club like Barcelona are interested in my situation, there is no price for that.”
The Brazilian international joined Guangzhou in 2015 for €14m from Tottenham, as per ESPN, and has spoken glowingly about his two-year stint in China thus far.
Such has been the positive way in which he has settled in the Far East both on and off the pitch, it sounds as though it will be a difficult decision for the 28-year-old to move his family again, but when Barcelona come calling, surely it’s impossible to turn down.
It’s added in the report that there is no timeframe as to when he will give his answer to Barcelona, while they have yet to open discussions with his club over an agreement on a transfer fee.
As noted in the report by ESPN though, coach Luiz Felipe Scolari has recently insisted that they have no desire to sell Paulinho, with the Brazilian ace having a €40m release clause in his contract which could complicate matters for Barca.