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Tottenham are in talks with Corinthians for £17million-rated star Paulinho.

The powerful Brazil midfielder was in the team that beat Chelsea to win the Club World Cup Final last December.

Andre Villas-Boas, seeking the summer signings that will get Spurs over the hump and back into the Champions League, has targeted Paulinho after being priced out of a move for Inter Milan's Fredy Guarin.

While Inter want £21m for Colombia international Guarin, who played for AVB at Porto, the White Hart Lane club believe they can get Paulinho for less than his £17m buyout clause.

The Brazilian is currently on international duty at the Confederations Cup, which begins this weekend.

Paulinho had a fine campaign with Corinthians last season, with his part in the Club World Cup win - he helped set up the winning goal in the final - a particular highlight.

Spurs have been helped in their pursuit of the player by the withdrawal from the race of Shakhtar Donetsk, who have instead turned to Gremio midfielder Fernando after selling Fernandinho to Manchester City.

The arrival of the 24-year-old Paulinho could spell the end of Scott Parker's time at White Hart Lane.

Highly-respected former Player of the Year Parker, who will be 33 in October, is a target for Italians Fiorentina.