Paulinho confirms departure from Bayer
n an interview with TNT sports Brazil, Leverkusen attacker Paulinho officially announced that he would be departing Germany's red company team at the latest next summer.
The "on again", "off again" relationship between Brazilian talent Paulinho and Bayer 04 Leverkusen is now officially headed for a permanent divorce, at least according to the player. In an interview with Brazilian broadcaster TNT sports ahead of kickoff in last night's Champions' League draw with Atletico, the 22-year-atttacker announced that the would be signing a pre-contract with another club during the coming January transfer window.
The one-time €18.5 million purchase has been in a tenuous relationship with his German club for quite some time. Given a chance as a sub off the bench in new B04 trainer Xabi Alonso's debut match against FC Schalke 04 on matchday nine, he did score a goal. Xabi did favor him with a league start on matchday ten, during which he looked unfit and fared rather poorly. He's made a total of three substitute appearances under Leverkusen's new trainer.
Paulinho did not respond to reports that he would be heading back to his homeland, saying only that this was a "possibility". The player's talk of a "pre-contract" suggests that he will serve out the remainder of his contract with his current club until it expires next summer. Bayer would obviously prefer to recoup some of the money they invested in him, meaning that a sale in January shouldn't be ruled out.
Paulinho DE VOLTA no futebol brasileiro? Em entrevista exclusiva à nossa @tatimantovani, Paulinho revelou que VAI ASSINAR CONTRATO com novo time e ele pode, sim, ser brasileiro. Quem aí tá muito ansioso? 😱😱 #CasaDaChampions pic.twitter.com/cEimtJr9Eg
— TNT Sports Brasil (@TNTSportsBR) October 26, 2022