Report: Paulinho set to leave Barcelona, return to China in €50 million transfer

After weeks of rumors, Paulinho is indeed set to leave Barcelona. But it’s not any of the teams you think.

According to a report from Brazilian journalist Jorge Nicola, the midfielder is leaving the Catalan giants and will return to China. Barcelona and his former Chinese club, Guangzhou Evergrande, are negotiating a €50 million deal that should be announced this Sunday. Paulinho has already accepted the offer and will move as soon as the World Cup ends for Brazil.

The report claims that Paulinho is moving to China to play more minutes and receive a 40% salary increase, with the player’s management feeling like the arrival of Arthur and the development of players such as Ousmane Dembélé will limit Paulinho’s playing time. The deal will be announced this weekend because the Chinese Super League transfer window will shut next Wednesday.

Paulinho made 43 appearances, 27 as a starter, and scored 9 goals in his debut season at the Camp Nou.