Despite impressing in his debut campaign at Camp Nou, the Brazilian returned to China after only one season.
Paulinho’s exit from Barcelona is one of the surprise transfers this summer. Albeit the Brazilian returned to Guangzhou Evergrande on a loan, it was a piece of business that raised eyebrows.
The midfielder enjoyed a lovely debut season after his Camp Nou arrival was initially met with skepticism. He offered the club something different in the middle of the park with his physicality but his time with the Blaugrana came to an abrupt end.
Marca now reports that Ernesto Valverde played no part in the Selecao ace’s departure. In fact, the Spanish publication claims that the Barcelona tactician is unhappy
Despite winning the league and cup double in his first campaign with the Catalan giants, Valverde does not reign supreme when it comes to transfer dealings. Unlike Guardiola and Enrique, both of whom had a bigger say on signings, the current gaffer has to make do with decisions made by the higher-ups.
General manager Pep Segura and president Josep Maria Bartomeu are at the center of the clubs transfer decisions. For this reason, Valverde was powerless in stopping Paulinho’s return to China despite being against the move.
Marca states that Valverde “has still not been fully trusted” with the first-team regardless of last season’s success. Nonetheless, it is the manager who is pushing for the signing of Willian after losing a source for goals in the midfield.
