Brazilian forward Robinho linked to Evergrande move

Brazil's Paulinho lines up before their friendly soccer match against South Korea at Seoul World Cup Stadium in Seoul, South Korea in this Oct 12, 2013 file photo. [Photo/IC]

Tottenham Hotspur's Brazilian midfielder Paulinho has signed for Guangzhou Evergrande on a four-year contract, the Chinese club said on Monday.

The 26-year-old has failed to live up to expectations at White Hart Lane since signing from Brazilian club Corinthians in 2013 and will join Guangzhou for a fee reported in British media to be around 9.8 million pounds ($15.41 million).

Paulinho will be reunited at Guangzhou with former Brazil manager Luiz Felipe Scolari, who included the midfielder as a member of his squad at last year's World Cup.

Paulinho, who signed for Spurs for around 17 million pounds, arrived in England with a reputation as an all-action midfielder following his performances for Brazil.

But the Brazilian, who has 32 international caps, struggled to adapt to life in the Premier League and failed to maintain a place in the Tottenham side under Mauricio Pochettino last season.

Brazilian soccer player Robinho arrives at Guarulhos International airport in Sao Paulo, Brazil, June 28, 2015. [Photo/Agencies]

The Guangzhou side is also linked to Brazilian forward Robinho, who is a free agent after rescinding his contract with AC Milan in May.

The 31-year-old has spent the past year on loan at Santos, who are also said to be in the running for his signature.

In an interview with Radio Globo on Monday, Cruzeiro football manager Valdir Barbosa said Scolari had made overtures for the Brazil international.

"We know that the situation is complicated," Barbosa said. "We know that Robinho has a proposal from the Chinese club where [Scolari] is coaching.

"If they make an official offer - and we know that this week there will be a decision - we can't compete with the money they would be willing to offer."

Robinho returned to Brazil with the national team on Sunday after their Copa America quarterfinal defeat to Paraguay on penalties.

The former Real Madrid and Manchester City man has also been linked with a move to US Major League Soccer.

($1 = 0.6360 pounds)