Paulinho is prepared to take a paycut to join Barcelona, with his current club Guangzhou Evergrande currently locked in negotiations with the Spanish giants over the midfielder’s transfer to Spain.
The Brazilian is on a big salary in China that Barca will not match, but the player insists that this is not a problem. Speaking to Fox Sports Asia, the ex-Spurs and Corinthians midfielder said, “Money is not a problem for me.
“In 2011, when playing for Corinthians, I rejected an offer from a Russian club in which they offered me ten times more than I was earning in Brazil. I did not come to China for the money, so if Barcelona offered me a lower salary than I have now, I will accept it in the same way.”
Guangzhou are digging their heels in and have rebuffed Barca’s advances to this point, but Paulinho is still hopeful that a deal can be broached between the two clubs, “I will be able to play with champions and big stars.
“The fact that Guangzhou did not respond to Barça surprises me. However, I have not talked to the president yet, but I hope the club will be able to reach an agreement with Barcelona.”