Tottenham Hotspur manager Mauricio Pochettino has insisted that there is "no chance" of Paulinho returning to Corinthians on loan in January.
The Brazilian midfielder has only made one substitute appearance in the Premier League this season, prompting reports that Pochettino is ready to offload him.
However, the Spurs boss has stressed that he has no intention of parting with the 26-year-old and claims that Paulinho's lack of game time is only down to his late return to pre-season following the World Cup.
Pochettino told ESPN Brasil when asked about a possible loan deal: "No, no Tottenham player, including Paulinho, will be loaned to Brazil. There is no chance.
"Paulinho arrived late, one of the last players to join the squad after the World Cup.
"There isn't any problem. He is training and doing well, it's just a technical decision."
Reports have suggested that his former club Corinthians, who pocketed £17m when Paulinho moved to White Hart Lane in 2013, are interesting in re-signing him on loan.
Joe Fish
