Report: Barcelona interested in ex-Tottenham midfielder

Barcelona have opened talks with Guangzhou Evergrande over the possibility of signing midfielder Paulinho, according to reports. 

Paulinho, 28, has spent three seasons in China after moving from Tottenham for £10m, during which time the club have won two Chinese titles and the Asian Champions League.

Goal.com understands that negotiations for the player are still in their early stages, but the Catalan club also enquired about his availability in January.

It is also believed that Bayern Munich spoke to the player in January, but nothing came from the conversation.

Paulinho failed to impress in the Premier League with Tottenham, but Barcelona’s new boss Ernesto Valverde sees him as a player that could improve the squad following their disappointing campaign last season.

The Catalans won the Copa Del Rey but lost out on the La Liga title to Real Madrid, whilst Madrid also won the Champions League for the 12th time in their history.

Paulinho has two years left on his contract with Guangzhou, where he earns £90,000 a week.