Tottenham agree £17m deal to sign Brazilian midfielder Paulinho

Tottenham have agreed a £17million deal to bring Brazilian midfielder Paulinho to White Hart Lane, his club Corinthians have confirmed.

The 24-year-old will be Andre Villas-Boas' first signing of the summer as he looks to mount a challenge on the top four of the Premier League once again.

Paulinho is ahead of £30m Manchester City signing Fernandinho, 28, in the pecking for the Brazilian national side and Spurs are confident that they have signed the better player.

Spurs had been told earlier in the week they would have to up the ante on a bid for Paulinho, with the North London club originally hoping to pay in the region of £15m.

But with interest mounting in the player Spurs have decided to meet his release clause, which stands at £17m.

Paulinho, who scored Brazil’s equaliser against England in this month’s friendly, had said he will not make a decision until after the Confederations Cup.

Real Madrid, Inter Milan and Roma are also interested in the 15-cap international, but Spurs look to have beaten them to the signature.