Real Madrid are reportedly pondering the possibility of signing 24-year-old Brazilian midfielder Lucas Paqueta from Lyon next summer.
According to a report by Spanish outlet Defensa Central, Lucas Paqueta has once again popped up on the radar of Real Madrid. This time around, the Spanish giants are considering making a move for the 24-year-old Lyon midfielder in next summer’s transfer window.
Lucas Paqueta first arrived in Europe in January 2019, making his way to AC Milan from boyhood club Flamengo. However, after a strong start to life at San Siro, the Brazilian midfielder’s stint with the Rossoneri went pear-shaped as he went tumbling down the pecking order over the course of the 2019/20 season. He was subsequently sold to Lyon in the summer of 2020.
The decision to join the Ligue 1 giants has been vindicated so far, and Paqueta has made a strong start to the 2021/22 season, with five goals and three assists in 14 appearances in all competitions. His progress at Lyon has not gone unnoticed, with Real Madrid one of the 24-year-old’s ardent prospective suitors.
As per the report, Real Madrid hold a long-standing interest in Paqueta, having also monitored him while he was at Flamengo. The continued interest in the Brazilian international is understandable, considering Luka Modric is in the twilight of his career.
In addition, Toni Kroos is also approaching the final phase of his career, with the German playmaker also being linked with a possible move to Manchester City lately. With that in mind, a midfield reinforcement becomes the need of the hour for Real Madrid despite signing Eduardo Camavinga in the summer.
To that end, Los Blancos have been linked with Mason Mount, Franck Kessie and Sergej Milinkovic-Savic, among others. And Paqueta is a viable target as well for Real Madrid, with his recommendation coming straight from the dependable Juni Calafat.
Apart from Real Madrid, Arsenal have also shown an interest in Paqueta recently. It is, therefore, clear that the Lyon midfielder’s progress is starting to alert several top clubs across Europe. What now remains to be seen is whether Real Madrid firm up their interest in the 24-year-old and look to swoop him away from the Ligue 1 giants.
