Barcelona sign former Tottenham midfielder Paulinho for £36.4m

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James Benge14 August 2017

Barcelona have made their first step towards reconstructing their side in a post-Neymar age with the signing of Tottenham flop Paulinho.

The Brazilian midfielder will undergo his medical on Thursday as Barcelona put the finishing touches on a £36.4million (€40m) move from Chinese Super League side Guangzhou Evergrande.

A statement on the Barcelona website added: “Paulinho will undergo a club medical on Thursday and the signing of the contract and the official presentation of the new FC Barcelona player will also take place on Thursday with the following timetable.”

The 29-year-old will have a £109m release clause in his contract and is due to be presented at the Nou Camp on Thursday afternoon.

Jurgen Klopp expects Liverpool chiefs to resist Philippe Coutinho exit bid

Paulinho joined Guangzhou Evergrande in June 2015 from Tottenham in a £9.9m deal after failing to make the grade in the Premier League.

Spurs had paid £17m to bring him to Europe after his starring role in Brazil’s 2013 Confederations Cup win but Paulinho had been a huge disappointment, particularly in his second season, where he struggled to carve out a regular place under Mauricio Pochettino.

Barcelona are even more flush with cash than usual this summer after losing Neymar to Paris St Germain for a world record £200m. Whilst Paulinho will add to Ernesto Valverde's midfield options Liverpool star Philippe Coutinho could be a more direct replacement for the departing Brazilian.

Coutinho has submitted a transfer request to force through a move to the Nou Camp though for now Liverpool are holding firm in refusing to sell their star player.