Barcelona eyeing Brazil U-17 midfielder Paulinho

Rio de Janeiro March 24 (IANS) Spanish football giants FC Barcelona are monitoring Brazil U-17 midfielder Paulinho according to local media reports.

The La Liga leaders have been impressed with the 17-year-old s finishing ability speed and physical strength Xinhua news agency quoted Brazil s Lance newspaper as saying.

Paulinho has made 32 appearances for Brazilian top division outfit Vasco da Gama since his first-team debut last year.

He has also represented Brazil at under-15 and under-17 level scoring 15 goals in 35 matches in both age groups.

Vasco are said to have placed a 30 million-euro price tag on the teenager.

Barcelona currently have two Brazilians in their squad -- former Tottenham Hotspur and Guangzhou Evergrande midfielder Paulinho and ex-Liverpool playmaker Philippe Coutinho.

--IANS
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