'Barcelona join Bayern in race to sign Paulinho'

FC Barcelona have joined the race to sign Brazil midfielder Paulinho from Guangzhou Evergrande, according to media reports. Paulinho's agent, Giuliano Bertolucci, has been contacted by the officials of the Catalan football giants following the 28-year-old's hat-trick in Brazil's 4-1 victory over Uruguay in a World Cup qualifier last month, reports Xinhua news agency. Bayern Munich and AC Milan have also made inquiries to Bertolucci, which cited unnamed sources with knowledge of the negotiations. Paulinho has scored 10 goals in 67 matches for Guangzhou since joining the Chinese club from Tottenham Hotspur. Under the coaching of former Brazil chief trainer Luiz Felipe Scolari, Paulinho has helped Guangzhou win two consecutive Chinese Super League (CSL) titles.