Paulinho gives the yes to Barcelona

SPORT have learned that Paulinho has given the OK to Barcelona's proposed contract. Now the Catalans have to reach a deal with Guangzhou Evergrande for his signature. Robert Fernandez and his team have been working for months on the deal, analysing his performances for Brazil in the South American World Cup qualifiers, where he has been playing under Tite.

Once the sporting director gave his nod, the club executives moved into action. They made contract with the footballer and the operation accelerated three weeks ago, with Raul Sanllehi visiting Sao Paulo.

Barcelona are offering Paulinho a four-year deal, one less than is usual at the club. It is because he turns 29 on July 25. He currently gets a 7 million pay packet per season, with bounses for titles, which could take it to around 9 million. 

Compared to the astronomical fees earned by players in China, Barcelona will give him 5m which is not a lot, but playing at Barcelona has other incentives.

For now the club's 20m bd has been rejecred, but Barcelona will return with a new offer.

Paulinho said, from China: "I can't lie or hide what's happening, it's true that Barcelona have made me an offer and I am very satisfied with the conditions they have offered. Both my agent and I are satisfied because what they have offered us is better than what in principle we could have expected."