Barcelona have had a €20million (£17m) bid for midfielder Paulinho rejected by the player's Chinese Super League side Guangzhou Evergrande this week.
Spanish giants Barca have been scouting the market for midfield reinforcements this summer and have identified former Tottenham man Paulinho as an ideal fit.
The Brazilian, who flopped during his time with Spurs in the Premier League, has enjoyed a rejuvenated purple patch in Chinese football and has attracted the interest of European teams once more as a result.
Guangzhou however have made it clear they will not be parting with the 28-year-old, and have rebuffed Barca's advances in order to make their stance clear.