Barcelona had a much better pre-season tour of the United States than their arch-rivals Real Madrid. The Catalans defeated the Los Blancos 3-2 alongside victories over Juventus and Manchester United. But, on Sunday during the first-leg of the Spanish Super Cup final, the Ernesto Valverde side lost 1-3 and had nothing to show for the might they boast of.

Clearly, all the positive feeling has dissipated since Neymar left and the mood as the campaign approaches is clouded by pessimism. As the Spanish giants veer from one failed transfer move to the next in their desperate attempts to reconstruct a squad reeling from Neymar's exit, they have now acquired the services of Brazil's Paulinho for 40 million euros.

Reuters

It would be Barcelona's first signing since they sold Neymar to Paris Saint-Germain for a world record 200 million euros. But, at the age of 29, Paulinho doesn't really look like the kind of guy Barcelona fans were hoping for.

The Brazilian midfielder had joined Tottenham from Corinthians for 17 million euros in 2013. Two years later, he moved to the Chinese club Guangzhou Evergrande for a mere 14 million euros before a desperate Barcelona came bearing a hefty paycheck.

Paulinho has scored nine goals in 41 international appearances since making his debut in 2011, and was a member of the squad that won the Confederations Cup in 2013. But, as per Barcelona's transfer targets, he is definitely an under-achievement. And, Twitter wasted no time in poking fun at the Catalans.

 

When you realise that Paulinho is actually Barcelona's 4th most expensive signing of all time.. pic.twitter.com/bB4jSb1Uv3

— Footy Accumulators (@FootyAccums) August 14, 2017

â Neymar sold
â LFC won't sell Coutinho
â BVB won't sell Dembele
â Lose to 10-man Real Madrid
â Signed Paulinho

Barcelona board today: pic.twitter.com/a5XqX40Keb

— Transfer Talk (@EPLBible) August 14, 2017

Paulinho:

March 2017 - Voted the worst ever player at Tottenham

August 2017 - Signs for Barcelona for €40m. pic.twitter.com/doJFtC0jQW

— Football__Tweet (@Football__Tweet) August 14, 2017

Paulinho: Welcome To Barcelona ðµð´ • Goals • Skills • Assists • https://t.co/HFzVOKcz9V

— Pad (@ManLikeAlli) August 14, 2017

Barça have officially announced the signing of Paulinho pic.twitter.com/kVsD3JsfdX

— Leo Messi (@messi10stats) August 14, 2017

Spurs fans when they see Paulinho is now Barcelona's 4th most expensive player ever!

ð ð ð ð pic.twitter.com/HpgTB98Q0K

— 101 Great Goals (@101greatgoals) August 14, 2017

Asensio 3.5M
Ceballos 16.5M
Kroos 25M
Kovacic 30M
Modric 30M
Isco 30M

Paulinho 40M pic.twitter.com/P3ZlSpC33B

— Salim (@Nexlizz) August 14, 2017

BREAKING: Barcelona sign former Spurs midfielder Paulinho for €40m. ð³

Making him the club's 4th most expensive signing of all-time. ð pic.twitter.com/WnErptKhpW

— SPORF (@Sporf) August 14, 2017