Signings are needed at Barcelona – this was easily noticeable in their Spanish Super Cup home defeat to 10-man Real Madrid. However, the Blaugrana’s latest acquisition is seen as a move to improve quantity over quality.
On Monday, the Catalan giants announced the transfer for Brazilian midfielder Paulinho. After giving up on Marco Verratti, the Copa del Rey champions turned to Guangzhou Evergrande in a bid to bolster their midfield.
The Brazilian is yet to undergo a medical – that has been scheduled for Thursday – but only formalities remain before his official presentation. Paulinho will put pen to paper on a four-year deal, with Barcelona forking out €40m for the 29-year-old.
Most fans were sadly left baffled by this move. Barcelona, known producing young talents, spent €40m on a 29-year-old who flopped at Tottenham. Although he has proven himself with the national side, most struggled to understand his valuation.
What many on Twitter found hard to believe is the fact that Paulinho is now Barcelona’s fourth most expensive player in history, behind Neymar, Suarez, and Ibrahimovic. Trolls and jokes followed. Check out the best tweets.
BREAKING: Barcelona sign former Spurs midfielder Paulinho for €40m.
— SPORF (@Sporf) August 14, 2017
Making him the club's 4th most expensive signing of all-time. pic.twitter.com/WnErptKhpW
Paulinho is the 4th most expensive player in Barcelona's history, behind Neymar, Suarez and Ibrahimovic... pic.twitter.com/KoVnlG36xt
— BenchWarmers (@BeWarmers) August 14, 2017
Paulinho was born on the day Cruyff had his first match as Barcelona’s manager.
— Rafael Hernández (@RafaelH117) August 14, 2017
Funny, as he symbolizes the end of all Cruyff built. https://t.co/KhMHLplBlS
The jokes don't stop there. Paulinho's release clause set at 120M while Umtiti's is at 60M, Sergi's 40M.
— Josip (@jperkovic93) August 14, 2017
Barcelona: "Guangzhou Evergrande, we want to sign Paulinho, and are willing to spend €40m."
— Matthew Santangelo (@Matt_Santangelo) August 14, 2017
Guangzhou Evergrande: pic.twitter.com/xaXW11hO2e
Paulinho is now Barcelona's 4th most expensive signing ever, after Luis Suarez, Neymar and Zlatan.
— ODDSbible (@ODDSbible) August 14, 2017
You know, all the greats.
When you realise that Paulinho is actually Barcelona's 4th most expensive signing of all time.. pic.twitter.com/bB4jSb1Uv3
— Footy Accumulators (@FootyAccums) August 14, 2017
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