Paulinho fluffs his lines and fails to fire at the cash register on his Barcelona unveiling following Guangzhou Evergrande switch

The €40-million man endures a lukewarm welcome on his first day at the Camp Nou

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Barcelona’s new signing Paulinho controls a ball during his official presentation at the Nou Camp. Photo: AP

Published: 11:20am, 18 Aug 2017Updated: 11:36am, 18 Aug 2017

Erstwhile Guangzhou Evergrande midfielder Paulinho underwhelmed at his high-profile unveiling as a Barcelona player at the Nou Camp as he struggled to juggle a ball in front of the gathered media and failed to fire at the cash register.

The Brazilian international signed a four-year deal with the Catalans following a €40-million (HK$367.1 million) switch earlier this week, and was presented to media – and a modest number of fans – on Thursday by under-fire Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu.

The 29-year-old, who struck 14 times and registered four assists during his time with Evergrande, underwhelmed during his unveiling, fluffing his lines during a photo opportunity before the club later revealed they had sold no Paulinho jerseys following the presentation.

Employees at the official club shop told goal.com that they had failed to sell a single jersey bearing Paulinho’s name, while a video purported to show none of his number 15 jerseys on display.

During the media conference Paulinho said his time with the Chinese Super League club helped him to regain confidence in his ability.