Paulinho hopes to complete Barcelona switch 'this week'

Guangzhou Evergrande midfielder Paulinho hopes to complete a switch to Barcelona in the coming days, although the Chinese club's reportedly rejected a €20-million bid by the Catalan outfit.

Barcelona is now apparently set to lodge an increased bid, which Paulinho will attempt to push through.

"I have to speak with the president," Paulinho told Mundo Deportivo of Barcelona's interest on Saturday, as quoted by ESPN FC's Samuel Marsden. "But since I received the offer from Barca I've not stopped thinking about it and I hope things can be resolved this week.

"I asked my agent to speed everything up so that it can all be resolved this week because the transfer window shuts (in China) soon. That doesn't affect me leaving, but it would prevent Guangzhou signing a replacement."

Paulinho added: "If the two clubs reach an agreement, everything between me and Barca will be very easy."

The Brazil man has revived his career on the international stage after a less-than-stellar showing in the 2014 FIFA World Cup, and his stock has risen on the club level as a result. A hat-trick in a World Cup qualifying tilt against Uruguay back in March all but cemented the 28-year-old's spot in Russia, too.

Paulinho recently signed a contract extension with Guangzhou, which he joined in 2015 out of Tottenham. The Chinese side will reportedly try to enforce it, but Paulinho is even willing to take a pay cut to join Barcelona.

"Players can earn money wherever they play," he offered. "The important thing for me is to be happy with the decision I make, so if Barca offer me less than Guangzhou, it's not a problem because I will be playing for one of Europe's great teams."