Brazilian midfielder Paulinho surprised his ex-teammates and Ernesto Valverde, when he visited Barcelona's training centre on Wednesday.
Barcelona have a couple of players on loan which there are clause of an option to buy. Players like Paulinho and Yerry Mina are still on loan at their individual side from the catalan side.
After contemplating in the summer, both Barcelona and Paulinho decided that it would be in their best interests for the player to return to China. The Brazilian midfielder returns to his former club Guangzhou Evergrande on a one-year loan deal, with an option to make the move permanent.
The Barcelona coach was a big admirer of the player last season and didn't want the club to sell him. But the player was happy to be back to see his old mates.
"I am very happy to return to see my ex-teammates and the staff, we appreciate the people at the club a lot," Paulinho, now playing in China again, told the club's official media.
"Whenever I can, I watched the Blaugrana's games and they always play well."
The 30-year-old also spoke about his compatriots that are currently playing at the Camp Nou.
"I know [Philippe] Coutinho very well from Brazil and Barcelona," he explained. "I'm sure Arthur will do very well in this team because of his quality and style of play. "Malcom is a young player with a bright future ahead of him."

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