Guangzhou Evergrande midfielder Paulinho has told Mundo Deportivo he hopes to push through a transfer to Barcelona this week.

Barca have already reportedly had a bid worth €20 million turned down by the Chinese club, but Diario Sport say the Catalan club will return with an increased offer.

"I have to speak with the president," Paulinho said of the Catalan club's interest. "But since I received the offer from Barca I've not stopped thinking about it and I hope things can be resolved this week.

"I asked my agent to speed everything up so that it can all be resolved this week because the transfer window shuts [in China] soon. That doesn't affect me leaving, but it would prevent Guangzhou signing a replacement."

The Brazil international, 28, suggested he is even willing to take a pay cut on his salary at Guangzhou, who he joined from Tottenham in 2015 for €14m, to force through a move to Camp Nou.

"If the two clubs reach an agreement, everything between me and Barca will be very easy," he added.

"When I was at Corinthians [in 2011] I turned down an offer to move to Russia worth 10 times what I was earning in Brazil.

"Players can earn money wherever they play. The important thing for me is to be happy with the decision I make, so if Barca offer me less than Guangzhou, it's not a problem because I will be playing for one of Europe's great teams."

Paulinho joined Guangzhou Evergrande from Tottenham in 2015. Getty Images

Speaking at the weekend, Paulinho's Brazil international teammate Neymar said he would be welcome at Barca with open arms.

"I want him to sign for Barca because with a player like him, who's also a friend of mine, we'll get so much," Neymar said.

Barca's search for a new midfielder this summer has also led them to Paris Saint-Germain's Marco Verratti and Real Betis' Dani Ceballos.

President Josep Maria Bartomeu has confirmed the club's interest in Verratti and the player's desire to sign, but said a deal is looking unlikely due to PSG's reluctance to sell the Italian international.

Ceballos, meanwhile, according to multiple reports in Spain, will complete a transfer to Barca's rivals Real Madrid this week.