Paulinho not playing against Real Madrid – Valverde

Barcelona coach Ernesto Valverde is tight lipped over reports of a deal for Guangzhou Evergande midfielder Paulinho.

Valverde deflected questions about the Brazilian midfielder by saying that he won’t be playing in Sunday evening’s Supercopa de Espana match against Real Madrid.

“I don’t have any proof of anything,” Valverde said when asked in Saturday’s press conference if Paulinho would indeed be joining the Catalan club.

“Lots of players’ names are mentioned for lots of clubs and it will be like that until August 31.

“For the moment there is nothing, or at least not that I’ve been informed of.

“I have a feeling that Paulinho will not be playing tomorrow night [against Real Madrid].”