Arsenal are reportedly confident of sealing a deal for Lucas Paqueta this summer, despite concerns that the Brazilian’s €65 million valuation is too high.
According to Ben Jacobs, Arsenal have emerged as the leading candidate in the race to sign Lyon midfielder Lucas Paqueta. The Gunners are confident they can agree personal terms with the Brazilian international, who is also a target for Newcastle United and AS Roma.
Paqueta joined Lyon from AC Milan in a €20 million deal in 2020 after a forgettable spell at San Siro. However, the 24-year-old has thrived at the Groupama Stadium and has become one of Ligue 1’s leading prospects, contributing to 34 goals in 77 appearances for the French club despite their struggles over the last few years.
Last season, he netted 11 goals and provided seven assists across all competitions. The versatile midfielder excelled in a host of attacking and midfield positions last term, even operating as a false-9 striker at times. Paqueta’s glowing performances both in Ligue 1 and the UEFA Europa League have forced other clubs to take notice.
Paqueta is also now a fully-fledged Brazilian international and has 33 caps to his name, scoring seven goals along the way. The 24-year-old has three more years left on his contract, which lasts until 2025. The player, though, wants to leave for Lyon in favour of a fresh challenge following their eighth-placed finish in Ligue 1.
This stance has forced Lyon to contemplate selling one of their most prized assets this summer, reducing their valuation down to €65 million. As such, Newcastle, Arsenal, and AS Roma have all ‘enquired’ about signing the 24-year-old, although all of the suitors are also understood to be weighing up other options, with the Brazilian playmaker’s price tag deemed exorbitant.
Newcastle, for one, already had a €40 million bid turned down for the midfielder back in January. Paqueta shares a close relationship with Newcastle’s Bruno Guimaraes, with the pair linking up well on and off the pitch at Lyon. While a reunion at St. James’ Park seems attractive at first glance, it has been suggested the Magpies have a relatively modest budget left after splurging the cash earlier this summer, with a new striker and a goal-scoring winger their priority at the moment.
Arsenal have emerged as a strong possibility for the Brazilian maestro in the last week or so. Recent reports have suggested Mikel Arteta is a huge fan of Paqueta’s versatility to play in midfield or up front and is pushing to sign the midfielder as Arsenal continue their transfer business after adding the likes of Gabriel Jesus and Fabio Vieira to their ranks this summer.
The north Londoners are ‘confident’ they can lure the former AC Milan starlet to move to the Emirates. However, technical director Edu will not be drawn into a bidding battle. Paqueta, of course, is an expensive option at €65 million but will add plenty of creativity and attacking threat to the Gunners’ squad should the Gunners get this deal over the line ahead of Newcastle.
