Barcelona have confirmed that Guangzhou Evergrande have activated the buyback clause on Paulinho’s loan deal.
There is no mention of a fee involved for the Brazilian, who joined Barca from the Chinese Super League club in the summer of 2017 for a reported €40m.
Earlier this month, La Vanguardia reported they had seen the club’s official accounts and the fee of €42m was deposited on 2 January, with no further payment expected.
It is the third highest recorded sale in the club’s history behind Luis Figo and Neymar, while Guangzhou Evergrande have also reportedly bid €50m for Malcom.
Paulinho returned to the Chinese club last summer after captaining them to Asian Champions League glory between 2015 and 2017.
He joined the Blaugrana in a €40m deal in the summer of 2017 and helped them to the Spanish league and cup double, with nine La Liga goals across a total of 49 appearances in all competitions.
