Spurs 'agree Paulinho deal'

Tottenham have agreed a €20m deal to sign midfielder Paulinho from Corinthians, according to the Brazilian club.

The Brazil international held a press conference yesterday, one day after lifting the Confederations Cup with his country, to confirm he is leaving the Sao Paulo club.

The club also said in a statement on their website that Spurs were set to pay €20m to release the player from his current deal.

“It’s hard to say anything at a moment like this, but I am sure those were three wonderful years in my career, with many titles and working with the right people, who always helped me,” Paulinho, 24, told reporters.

“What I have to say to Corinthians is ’see you soon’. Pretty soon I’ll be back, owing to everything you have done for me.”

The statement from Corinthians thanked Paulinho for his contribution to the team, with the midfielder helping them win the Campeonato Brasileiro in 2011 and both the Copa Libertadores and the Club World Cup last year.

He scored 34 goals in 167 appearances for the club and was also instrumental in Brazil’s 3-0 victory over Spain yesterday in the final of the Confederations Cup.

Spurs offered no comment when contacted last night.