Guangzhou Evergrande taking up permanent option for Barcelona midfielder Paulinho

Guangzhou Evergrande have confirmed they're taking up the permanent option in Paulinho's deal

Marca reports Barca know they will receive 50 million euros in January 2019 as Guangzhou Evergrande have committed in writing to paying the full fee for Paulinho.

The purchase option for the Brazilian midfielder was embedded as part of the loan deal which took him back to the Chinese Super League after just one season in LaLiga Santander with the Catalan giants.

The reason for such a convoluted loan deal was that the Chinese club hoped to secure the midfielder's signature in a way which doesn't go against the rules of Chinese football. There have been very strict spending limits imposed on domestic clubs.