SALVADOR: Corinthians’ Brazil midfielder Paulinho has confirmed a Tottenham bid for him and will make a decision as soon as the Confederations Cup winds up next weekend.

After the hosts beat Italy 4-2 to confirm a semi-final place, the 24-year-old said: “There is an official offer from Tottenham to Corinthians. But, as I did when there was an Inter Milan offer, I’ll sit and decide with my family before I make any decision.

“I will only do it after the Confederations Cup because it’s hard to deal with all these things at the same time.”

Paulinho, who missed yesterday’s game through a minor ankle injury, is valued at £17m. He has scored four goals in 15 internationals including one in the opening 3-0 Confed Cup win over Japan.

Anfield new boy

Liverpool have signed Sevilla forward Luis Alberto for £6.8m. The 20-year-old had been on loan at Barcelona B but the Spanish champions decided against taking up their option on the Spain Under-21 international.

Alberto made his debut for Sevilla aged 18 in April 2011, but that was one of only seven first-team appearances. The former under-18 and under-19 international played 38 times for Barcelona B last season, scoring 11 goals.

He is set to be joined at Anfield by Simon Mignolet, with Liverpool expected to complete a £9m move for the Sunderland goalkeeper next week.

The Belgium international is expected on Merseyside in the next few days to undergo a medical and complete the formalities.

Liverpool have already signed Kolo Toure from Manchester Cityon a free transfer and have a £6.7m deal agreed in principle for Celta Vigo’s Iago Aspas. They are continuing to press an interest in Shakhtar Donetsk’s Armenia midfielder  Henrikh Mkhitaryan.

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