Spurs Transfer News: Paulinho's £17 Million Deal Agreed

Daily Mail are reporting that Tottenham Hotspur have agreed a £17 million deal with Brazilian club Corinthians for their star midfielder Paulinho. Having initially been told by Corinthians to increase their first bid - believed to be £15 million - it appears as though the increased offer has sealed the deal. Paulinho - full name José Paulo Bezerra Maciel Júnior - is a 24 year old energetic box-to-box midfielder who is known for his combative approach and aerial prowess. He has 15 caps for his country and has scored 4 international goals, and is currently starring at the Confederations Cup in his native Brazil and scored in his team's opening match against Japan. He also scored in the recent 2-2 friendly draw against England. Paulinho has been strongly linked to Spurs for weeks now, but rumoured interest from the likes of Inter Milan, Roma, Chelsea and Real Madrid has threatened to scupper the transfer. If this transfer is completed, it is a huge signal of intent that Spurs are looking to make some serious changes in order to challenge for a Champions League place next season. Andre Villas-Boas has recently snubbed the advances of super-rich Paris Saint Germain in order to remain as Spurs boss, having been told that he will be rewarded for doing so with a war chest of at least £50m to spend on improving his squad this summer and it looks as though the Paulinho deal will be using up a third of that sum. Paulinho's arrival would potentially create a mouth-watering defensive midfield partnership between himself and Brazilian compatriot Sandro and would allow Mousa Dembele to push up field, playing in the trio behind a lone striker, where he is more of an attacking threat. Spurs have also been linked to the likes of Paulinho's Brazilian international team-mates Bernard and Leandro Damiao this summer, as well as Barcelona's Spanish superstar David Villa, prolific Belgian striker Christian Benteke of Aston Villa, relegated Wigan Athletic's James McCarthy, Porto's free-scoring Colombian forward Jackson Martinez and Valencia's Roberto Soldado. Would Paulinho's arrival at Spurs vastly improve the White Hart Lane outfit? What do you think of this deal? Who else do you think Spurs should be looking to sign this summer? Have your say in the comments box below.