Not long ago, Paulinho surprisingly moved to Camp Nou in 2017 and enjoyed a stellar campaign. Four years later, he is not ruling out a second stint.
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Paulinho, who has already spent a season at Camp Nou, is open for a second move to Barcelona. The Brazilian midfielder is a free agent now, and is looking to compete in Europe again. After bidding goodbye to Chinese side Guangzhou Evergrande, the midfielder could very well be a valuable addition to top teams in Europe. He has earlier played for Tottenham Hotspur and Barcelona. Notably, the one season he spent at Camp Nou after becoming a surprise signing in 2017, would have been a memorable one for the midfielder.
Barcelona won the La Liga and Copa del Rey in 2017-18, with the Brazilian making 49 appearances that season. He told Mundo Deportivo, “Barca are a team I know well. I spent an unforgettable year there, both at the club and in the city, and we won the League and the Copa del Rey. If I had another chance, and it was a good thing for both me and my family, I would be delighted [to return].”
Paulinho could be another free agent option for the La Liga giants in this summer window. Sergio Aguero, Eric Garcia and Memphis Depay have been signed by the Catalan giants at the end of their contracts. Meanwhile, the Brazilian stated that finances would play no part in his thinking about a return to Camp Nou. “For me, the issue of money or the duration of the contract wouldn’t be a problem, it never has been, and less so if Barca is the team that calls you,” he added.
“I already demonstrated this when I left Guangzhou [by going] there [and] charging much less than I received in China. I’ve never put money ahead of my career, so that wouldn’t be a problem to go back there. Also, this time the club wouldn’t have to pay a transfer [fee] for me.”
In addition to Aguero, Garcia and Depay, the Catalan giants have also tied up a deal for Emerson Royal. While praising Aguero, Paulinho also had only good words to say about Emerson’s signing.
The Brazilian said, “Kun, for example, is a top striker. I haven’t seen Emerson [play] in many matches, but [from] what I’ve seen of him he seems to me to be a good player, disciplined, with strength, power. I think he has everything to succeed at Barca.”
When asked if there is a possibility of him going to Corinthians, the Brazilian asserted that his priority is to play in Europe. He added, “My first option is to return to Europe, because I still see myself wanting and able to continue competing and fight to win titles.”
