Fiorentina are the latest team to be linked with a move for Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Paulinho, according to reports.
Newspaper La Nazione, as cited by website Football Italia, states that Fiorentina see Paulinho as a possible replacement for Italy international Alberto Aquilani, who is expected to leave the club when his contract expires in June.
Persistent injuries to veteran David Pizarro is a further motivation for Fiorentina to push for Paulinho, but they are expected to face strong competition from elsewhere.
Borussia Dortmund, Corinthians, Internazionale, Juventus, Napoli and Roma are said to be keen on signing the 26 year-old, who is expected to move on from Tottenham after a difficult two seasons with London based club.
Paulinho was signed from Corinthians for a reported fee of €19.73 million in July 2013, but has struggled to make a notable impression.
In his debut campaign, he managed eight goals in 37 appearances in all competitions, while this term he’s netted twice in 30 matches.
In the Premier League, he has be handed just three starts this season, with manager Mauricio Pochettino often preferring to use Ryan Mason and Nabil Bentaleb as his central midfield partnership.
After missing out on Brazil’s squad for the 2015 Copa América, Paulinho will likely be eager to find more regular football next season. As yet, however, Tottenham have not confirmed what his future holds.