Brazil star Paulinho says he has an offer to move to Barcelona

Posted Sunday, June 25, 2017 by ESPN

Brazil midfielder Paulinho has revealed that his agent is in talks with Barcelona over a potential move to the Catalan club.

Barca are looking to make signings in a number of positions this summer as they look to strengthen new coach Ernesto Valverde's hand, with midfield one area they're keen to improve.

Paris Saint-Germain's Marco Verratti is their top target, but reports emerged earlier this week of their interest in Guangzhou Evergrande's Paulinho.

And the midfielder has confirmed the speculation, telling Globoesporte: "There's been contact with my agent. There's an offer [from Barca], it's true, and the two parties are talking.

"I'm really proud that a great club like Barcelona are interested in my situation -- there is no price for that."

However, Paulinho also said he's not sure whether a switch to Camp Nou would be the best move for his career right now.

Guangzhou Evergrande's Paulinho has said he has an offer to join Barcelona this summer.

He joined Chinese Super League club Guangzhou from Tottenham Hotspur €14 million in 2015 and feels the last two years have been among his best since he became a professional, with his club form making him a regular in Tite's Brazil side.

On top of that, he's settled and happy with his life in China with his partner.

"At the moment I'm really happy with my life and with my career," he added. "When you're in a situation like the one I'm in, it's difficult to make a decision.

"There are a lot of things that I have to weigh up, one of them being my happiness.

"I think, first of all, the way things are with my partner here in China... We really like where we are, the people, how things are with the club, the success... The truth is that I don't know [what to do]."

Paulinho says he has no time frame to give Barcelona a response but suggested they've not yet opened negotiations with Guangzhou over a potential deal.

When they do, they may encounter problems. Earlier this week, the coach of the Chinese side, Luiz Felipe Scolari, said they do not want to sell the player and pointed to his €40m release clause.