Barcelona know how much Guangzhou want for Paulinho

Paulinho is of interest to Barcelona. And they will try to sign the Guangzhou Evergrande midfielder as well as taking on other operations. The player is not a Plan B. The 28 year old, a starter for Brazil, is considered by the sporting director to have the profile necessary to play at the club. A player who could balance a team that plays with the trident, or if Messi is at No 10, then a potential fourth attacker on the right too.

Paulinho and his people have good feeling with Barcelona. They have explained to him what they want from him. Despite this, it may be difficult to uproot him from China haead of the 2018 World Cup. 

But with the player's positivity, Barcelona are opening the negotiation process with Chinese football's biggest side. The directors at Guangzhou are waiting for Barcelona. Coach Luiz Felipe Scolari relies on him and is not happy about the idea of losing him at a key moment in the season, with the Asian Champions League quarter-finals about to start. 

There will be no surprises in the price. Barcelona are conscious that Guangzhou will ask for 40 million euros - his release fee clause.

Paulinho landed in China in 2015, moving for 14m from Tottenham. His contract extends to June 30, 2020. Barcelona are considering a first offer of 20m, around the market price of 25m. To bring the asking price down to that level, the player must play a part.

However Paulinho will shy away from any controversy with Guangzhou, who have helped him find his best form again and treated him as a king. Beyond the 7m euros a year he takes, the Brazilian values the way they have helped him get back to the national team and brought five star performances out of him. 

Barcelona will use negotiation tactics to lower the price, including potentially offering to play a friendly in China, a big marketing boost.