Brazilian striker Paulo Sérgio Betanin, known as ‘Paulinho,’ is under hot pursuit by three Premier League clubs – West Ham, Southampton and Stoke City – and his agent has hinted one of the trio will seal a deal this summer.
The 28-year-old, who plays for Italian side Livorno, was instrumental in his side’s Serie A campaign last season scoring 15 league goals, which amounted to over a third of the total for the club throughout the whole competition.
Although the player’s form and ability shone brightly enough to capture the attention of Premier League scouts in the UK, it is unfortunate that his efforts for the Italian club were not matched by all of his his team-mates and the side were relegated to the second tier, Serie B.
Having proven his quality as a striker despite Livorno’s relegation, both Paulinho’s agent and Livorno’s President have acknowledged that the Brazilian is worthy of maintaining his status as a top-tier footballer and confirmed that approaches have been made by the Hammers, the Saints and the Potters.
The two of them suggested that the player, who has four years remaining on his contract with the Serie B team, is free to move on and that discussions are in progress in order to secure a deal with one of the interested parties this summer.
Paulinho’s agent told Italian news site Tuttomercatoweb.com: “It is more that likely he will go abroad, there are interesting proposals that could meet the demands for the player.
Liverno’s president Aldo Spinelli said: “West Ham, Stoke City and Southampton are tracking him in the Premier League, while in Dubai two clubs are interested.”
With Southampton hit hard these last four weeks by the loss of key attacking players wishing to fulfil their dreams of Champions League football – Rickie Lambert and Adam Lallana who have moved to Liverpool and striker Jay Rodriguez looking a strong possibility also – this would suggest the south coasters are the club with the greatest urgency to sign a player like Paulinho.
West Ham have completed the signing of Ecuador striker Enner Valencia and Stoke are lining up a deal for Barcelona striker Bojan, so should both clubs be confident of all going to plan, they may cool off on their pursuit of the Brazilian.