Barcelona No mid-season departure

If Barcelona do want to add Paulinho to their ranks, then they will have to wait for another transfer window to do so.

Xu Jiayin, president of the Evergrande Group and owner of Guangzhou, has insisted that the club will not allow the midfielder to depart mid-season, closing the door on a summer switch to LaLiga.

In a meeting attended by the club staff and coaches, Xu admitted that he understood Paulinho's desire to join the Blaugrana but that he will not be permitted to leave before the campaign concludes.

However, Guangzhou have informed the player that they will be willing to entertain offers for him when the Chinese league season comes to an end.

Xu also told the Brazilian at the meeting, which was held at Evergrande Group's headquarters, that he must attempt to understand the club's wishes on the matter.

Paulinho is one of the key players at a club who have set their sights on winning four trophies this year.

They have already collected the Chinese Super Cup after overcoming Jiangsu Suning in February thanks to a goal from Alan, and still lead the league standings by a point from Shanghai SIPG.

Guangzhou have already booked their place in the quarter-final of the Asian Champions League and have also reached the same stage of China's domestic cup competition.