Paulinho couldn't turn down Spurs

Corinthians are waiting to hold talks with Paulinho after the midfielder claimed it would be a "fantastic opportunity" to play for Tottenham Hotspur.

Paulinho is currently on Confederations Cup duty with Brazil and claimed last week that Premier League side Spurs had made an offer.

Reports suggest that Spurs have matched the 24-year-old's €20million (£17m) buy-out clause and Corinthians director Duilio Monteiro Alves wants to discuss the situation with Paulinho after the Confederations Cup.

"The buy-out fee is 20million Euros and Corinthians can't do anything," Alves told UOL. "We'll talk with him.

"Paulinho already knows about the offer, we told him. He asked to wait until he returns from the national team. When he comes, the final decision will be made."

Paulinho had also been linked with Serie A duo Inter Milan and Roma, but has confirmed he cannot reject the chance to move to White Hart Lane.

"I feel I am ready to experience football at the highest level in Europe and the opportunity to play in England is a dream," Paulinho is quoted in The Independent.

"It's a great pleasure to be linked to such a great club like Tottenham. They have a reputation as one of the great clubs in England who play exciting, attacking football which suits my style.

"I couldn't turn them down if they made me an offer. It would be a fantastic opportunity to play for Tottenham."

Spurs have yet to comment on the reported deal and, at the weekend, manager Andre Villas-Boas cooled rumors of a move for Paulinho's Brazilian team-mate Bernard.