After a sensational season with SC Braga, Paulinho has caught the eye of many sides across Europe.
His importance to Braga in this most recent campaign was impossible to miss. With 17 goals and 7 assists in the league alone, only one player in the entirety of the Portuguese Primeira Liga contributed directly to more goals in the 2019-20 league season than Paulinho - and that was Benfica winger Pizzi, with 18 goals and 14 assists.
Across all competitions, his record was equally sublime. 25 goals and 9 assists in 48 matches illustrates his attacking prowess as he has become a truly accomplished finisher with a good awareness of what to do both on and off the ball and in and out of possession.
And it is a notable improvement in his overall game that has made him such an effective striker. Though not the quickest player, Paulinho has proven to be more decisive and aggressive in his thinking and decision-making, and has shown himself to have good attacking instincts and movement in the final third.
With these traits, it's been an extraordinary season for the Portuguese forward; while always a decent striker, this has been a career-defining campaign for the 27-year old, who before this was not widely seen as a striker that would be able to rack up these sorts of numbers; last season, for example, he had just 5 league goals to his name despite appearing in 29 league fixtures.
This season has therefore been the one to truly kickstart his career, and it explains why he has never played for the senior Portugal national team before - though many people believe it's about time that changed.
His then manager, Artur Jorge, for example, made it clear that he felt he deserved a call-up to Fernando Santos’ side, saying that it would be a fair reward, while former Portugal international forward Domingos Paciencia agreed, suggesting Paulinho could be another option.
Capable in the air and with his feet, he may not be the flashiest striker, but he's an instinctive goalscorer - and it is no surprise that clubs across Europe are taking a close look at him, including sides in England, after such an extraordinary season.
Braga are aware that they will struggle to keep hold of Paulinho because of his significantly raised reputation, but are hoping to bring in significant funding in return.
Indeed, there are suggestions that Braga expect to get as much as €30million for their starting front man. Though he'll likely end up leaving for less, it is testament to his quality season that he is valued so highly.