Former Tottenham Midfielder Paulinho Joins Barcelona

Barcelona have completed the signing of former Tottenham midfielder Paulinho from Guangzhou Evergrande. The 29-year-old has joined Barca in a £36.4m deal and is set to be presented on Thursday after undergoing his medical. His Barcelona release clause is £109.1m.

Paulinho is Ernesto Valverde's most expensive signing since taking over at Barcelona this summer.

He returns to Europe after leaving Spurs in 2015 in a £10m deal to Evergrande. During his time in the Chinese Super League he won two league titles as well as the Asian Champions League in 2015.

"Paulinho is a player with high individual quality, he is an outstanding player, both for his club and for the national team," said Evergrande head coach Luiz Felipe Scolari over the weekend.

"The high price paid by Barcelona in order to sign him is a strong recognition of Guangzhou Evergrande Football Club. We wish him all the best and that he can embrace a bright future."

His form in China also saw him earn a recall to the Brazil national side, which was rewarded as he scored a hat-trick in a 4-1 win over Uruguay earlier this year.

Paulinho will not be available for Barcelona when they face Real Madrid in the second leg of the Spanish Super Cup on Wednesday at the Bernabeu.

Barca lost the first leg 3-1 on Sunday at the Nou Camp.

Credit: Skysports

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