£25m ace signs new contract after missing out on Tottenham and Wolves move

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Paulinho has signed a new contract at Braga until 2025 after missing out on a move to Premier League trio Tottenham Hotspur, Aston Villa and Wolverhampton Wanderers, as reported by O Jogo.

There was a time, in the height of the summer, when it felt inevitable this late-blooming number nine would be posing for photos in England.

But despite finding the net a career-best 25 times last season, the pieces never fell into place for Paulinho.

In August, A Bola reported Aston Villa planned to make the 6ft 2in Portuguese their £25 million marquee signing if Bruno Lage had been handed the keys to Villa Park as Dean Smith’s replacement.

With the Midland giants in the midst of their best start to a season since 1930, winning all four of their Premier League games so far, hindsight looks fondly on their decision to keep the faith in Smith.

Wolves also held talks with Paulinho before making teen sensation Fabio Silva their new record signing. Tottenham, meanwhile, baulked at his hefty price tag, opting to sign Carlos Vinicius on loan from Benfica instead (O Jogo).

This left Paulinho with little choice but to put pen to paper on a new contract with Braga.

Interestingly, his deal still has a £25 million release clause. Did Paulinho insist on such a clause being included so as not to put off potential suitors if he enjoys another prolific season in front of goal?

“From the outside, he looks like a good player but, from close up, he is an excellent player. He was the player who surprised me the most,” Braga coach Carlos Carvalhal told Record last week.

“After working with him daily, I was amazed. He is a much better player than you can see from the outside.”