Inter Milan confirm Paulinho interest

Rio de Janeiro, Jan 29 (IANS): Italian football giants Inter Milan have confirmed their interest in signing Brazil midfielder Paulinho.

TOYOTA, JAPAN – DEC 12, 2012: Paulinho (R) of Corinthians challenges Ahmed Kenawi (L) of Al-Ahly SC during the FIFA Club World Cup Semi Final match at Toyota Stadium.

The Serie A club’s president Massimo Moratti said Monday that a deal could be struck with Paulinho’s club Corinthians before the close of the transfer window Thursday.

“We are going to come to an agreement if negotiations continue in their current direction. If not, there will be no deal,” Moratti was quoted saying by Brazil’s Lancenet.

Earlier reports said the Nerazzurri are willing to pay 15 million euros for the 24-year-old, having had an 8.5-million euro offer for the player rejected last year.

Paulinho, who played in Corinthians’ 2012 Copa Libertadores and FIFA Club World Cup-winning teams, has been included in Brazil coach Luiz Felipe Scolari’s squad for next month’s friendly against England in London’s Wembley Stadium.