Tottenham midfielder Paulinho attracting interest from former club Corinthians

Tottenham midfielder Paulinho could rejoin Corinthians during the summer, with the Brazilian club's sporting director Edu Gaspar having stated he does not believe finances will provide a stumbling block to any potential deal.

Brazil international Paulinho first left the Sao Paulo-based club in June 2013 and became one of many new signings made at White Hart Lane by Daniel Levy and Andre Villas-Boas during a summer in which Gareth Bale departed in a world-record deal.

Despite commanding a £17m ($26m) fee and reportedly attracting interest from the likes of Real Madrid, the 26-year-old has largely struggled to replicate his best form in England and has made just three starts in the Premier League since current boss Mauricio Pochettino took over from Tim Sherwood in the summer of 2014.

Paulinho, who appeared six times for his country at the 2014 World Cup, has previously expressed his desire to return to Arena Corinthians in the future and Gaspar appears keen to make that wish a reality with the player's future at Tottenham looking increasingly uncertain.

"Paulinho is still a very popular player over here," he was quoted as saying by the Daily Mirror. "There are always obstacles but I don't feel the finances will prove a problem."

Tottenham are likely to be extremely active once again during the next transfer window in an effort to qualify for the Champions League next term and sufficiently bolster their squad to cope with the demands associated with another likely run in Europe's secondary club competition.

Austrian central defender Kevin Wimmer is expected to join from FC Koln, while Marseille's Florian Thauvin, Crystal Palace winger Yannick Bolasie and Everton midfielder James McCarthy are among an extensive list of players who have been linked with a move to north London over recent weeks.

"We need to prepare for a big summer, build a strong team and fight for the top four," Pochettino, who is also expected to allow several underperforming first-team players to depart, has previously said. "Our dream for our supporters and this club is that they deserve to fight for the top four and be in the Champions League."

Following a 2-2 draw with former club Southampton at St Mary's on 25 April, Pochettino's side are currently sixth in the Premier League and trail fourth-place Manchester United by seven points with just four games remaining.