Paulinho exits Tottenham for China adventure

Tottenham midfielder Paulinho has joined Guangzhou Evergrande on a four-year deal, the Chinese Super League side have announced.

The 26-year-old, who moved to Spurs from Corinthians in his native Brazil in 2013, has made the switch to Guangzhou for a transfer fee of €14 million.

A statement on Guangzhou’s website said: “Guangzhou Hengda Football Club officially announce from Premier League outfit Tottenham Hotspur that midfielder, Brazilian player Jose Paolo Bethesda La Maher Junior, ie Paulinho, was formally signed, for the transfer fee of €14m, for four years.”

Paulinho will link up with former Brazil manager Luiz Felipe Scolari at the Chinese club after the ex-Chelsea boss took over the reins earlier this month on a two-and-a-half year deal.

Meanwhile, Real Madrid goalkeeper Iker Casillas’ agent claims he has not been contacted by Roma regarding a summer switch for his client.

Casillas’ future at the Bernabeu is in doubt with the club thought to be interested in acquiring Manchester United goalkeeper David De Gea this summer.

Reports in the Italian press claim Roma have already begun talks to sign the veteran Spanish goalkeeper, who is under contract with Real for another two seasons.

However, when asked about Roma’s reported interested, Casillas’ agent Carlo Cutropia said: “I have not received any calls.

“The only thing I’ve said in the past is that Rome is a great city and Roma is a big club with a great fan following.”

Elsewhere, Juventus veteran playmaker Andrea Pirlo is in advanced talks to move to Major League Soccer with New York City FC, according to reports in Italy.

Pirlo is currently on holiday in the United States and was seen on Saturday attending a New York Yankees baseball game at Yankee Stadium — which is also home to NYCFC.

The 36-year-old, who has one year left in his contract with Juve, helped the Turin giants win the domestic double for the first time since 1995 this season as well as reach the Champions League final. Pirlo is expected to sign an 18-month contract with NYCFC and will reportedly earn €5m per season.