Barcelona are negotiating for Brazil international Paulinho

Paulinho is one of Barcelona's objectives to strengthen their midfield this summer. SPORT have confirmed that the Catalan club are in talks over the signing of the Brazil international from Guangzhou Evergrande.

The player is well-liked by Barça's technical team, who have observed him throughout the season. His performances with the national team under Tite have been decisive in the club making a move for a player, who, at 28, is in the peak years of his professional career. 

With Paulinho, Barça hope to add a midfielder who provides defensive qualities, can also get forward and is experienced. He's a player who would come to Camp Nou to compete for a starting spot. Ernesto Valverde has given the OK to the operation. 

Director of professional football Raul Sanllehi took advantage of a visit to Sao Paulo this week to meet with the player's representatives on Wednesday.

In the meeting, the talked about a strategy to convince Guangzhou Evergrande to sell. The Chinese Super League club's manager, Luiz Felipe Scolari, does not want to lose his star player.