Meet Jose Paulo Bezerra Maciel Junior, the man who goes by the name 'Paulinho' (presumably for the good of shirt sales).
The 23-year-old Corinthians midfielder has attracted a £9m bid from Arsene Wenger this week and besides being a dead ringer for Nobby Solano, here's why Arsenal's prudent boss is prepared to spend a fair whack on his signature.
Name: Paulinho
Date of birth: 25 July 1988
Birthplace: Sao Paulo, Brazil
Position: Central midfield
Club: Sao Paulo
International appearances: One senior Brazil cap
Honours: Brazilian Premier League title (2011) Copa Libertadores (2012)
What's the latest?
Corinthians president Mario Gobbi insists both Paulinho and midfield partner Ralf will remain at the club this summer but may have to cave in if Arsenal or Inter improve slightly on Wenger's £9m opening bid.
Did You Know?
1) Paulinho began his senior career at CA Juventus of Brazil, where he was loaned out to Lithuanian side FC Vilinus and later to LKS Lodz in Poland. In Europe, he was subjected to racist abuse directed mainly by rival fans, and opted to abandon dreams of a move to one of Europe's top clubs in favour of returning to Pao de Acucar in Brazil, where he spent his youth days. A year later, he moved to second tier side Bragantino, scoring six goals in his first 28 senior games in Brazilian football. It was enough for giants Corinthians to swoop for his signature.
2) Paulinho has scored 21 goals in 122 games for Corinthians from a central midfield position. He's made 22 of those appearances from the bench and has impressed at the top level of Brazilian football, making a name for himself for clever runs into the penalty box where close control, quick feet and equally lethal finishing on the ground or in the air have made him hot property.
3) Paulinho's only international appearance for Brazil to date came in 0-0 friendly against Argentina in September 2011, when he played 87 minutes and looked comfortable alongside defensive midfielder and Corinthians team-mate, Ralf. Paulinho made some promising attacking surges, linking up well with Ronaldinho when the former Barcelona man dropped a little deeper.
4) The Arsenal target was named in the Brazilian top flight's team of the year alongside Neymar, Ronaldinho and Fred after scoring 11 goals in 56 games in all competitions for Corinthians, helping them seal their first ever Copa Libertadores title following a two leg triumph over Boca Juniors.
5) Any potential transfer could be complicated by Paulinho's former club Pao de Acucar, however, as they still own 45 per cent of his economic rights, and would need to find common ground with Corinthians for a deal to go through.
He says
"Wherever I go, I will nevertheless win. It's not a money issue, I just want to play football." July 2012
They say
"Paulinho and Ralf will stay at Corinthians... those players who raise their levels, they will get their salary raised to a new level." July 2012, Corinthians president, Mario Gobbi
Corinthians director Roberto Andrade later descirbed Arsenal's offer for the midfielder as "very good" suggesting a deal could yet be agreed.
Read more at
http://www.talksport.co.uk/magazine/...u3fCFAYu3Ie.99
Originally Posted by Wiltord's Winner
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