Corinthians want Paulinho to delay his transfer to Tottenham for three weeks so he can help them win the Recopa Sudamericana for the first time.

The Brazil midfielder is on the verge of moving to White Hart Lane after Spurs agreed to pay his £17million release clause.

Paulinho is expected to complete the transfer after the Confederations Cup, which finishes on Sunday.

But Corinthians hope he will play for them in the two-legged equivalent of the Uefa Super Cup against rivals Sao Paulo on July 3 and 17.

Tottenham are keen for Paulinho (above) to miss the tie and complete his transfer to north London as soon as possible, particularly amid reports that Real Madrid are considering making a late bid for him.

Brazil face Uruguay in the semi‑finals in Belo Horizonte tonight and the build-up to that match has seen Uruguay captain Diego Lugano brand Neymar a diver.

Lugano urged Chilean referee Enrique Osses to keep a special eye on the Barcelona forward, who has won 18 free-kicks during Brazil’s three group matches.

“At this Confederations Cup it’s not just a case of someone being very apt at pretending to be fouled; Neymar is very lightweight,” said the Paris St-Germain defender. “He can drop to the ground and fool the referees, and the rivals.

“Neymar can feign a foul so we must be watchful that nobody is fooled by his ability.”

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