Arsenal and PSG are in a tussle for Lucas Paqueta, who could leave Lyon in the summer if a sizeable offer arrives.
According to Calciomercato, Arsenal and PSG are interested in Lyon midfielder Lucas Paqueta, with the Brazilian set to be available if a reasonable offer comes in the summer. The midfielder has been on the radar of the Premier League side for a while, although the French giants are also showing interest in him.
Lucas Paqueta could be one of the players moving out of Lyon in the summer, with plenty of clubs sizing up a move for the Brazilian. Since joining the Ligue 1 club from AC Milan, he has been immense for them. In the ongoing campaign, the attacking midfielder has played 30 times in all competitions, showcasing his importance to the team. He has contributed with eight goals and five assists.
His contract at the French club lasts until 2025, making it tricky for interested clubs to understand the price tag he might be available for. In January, Lyon reportedly rejected a bid worth €40 million from Newcastle United, who were keen on signing the Brazilian.
Lyon turning down the reported €40 million offer could suggest they will demand a hefty fee for the 24-year-old. There could be significant interest in the summer, with Arsenal and Paris Saint-Germain vying for his signature.
Despite some world-class talents at the club, PSG are keen to bring in a new attacking midfielder to shore up their options in midfield. A few high-profile departures from the club could be on the cards, including Julian Draxler or even Georginio Wijnaldum, who is a target for Aston Villa. The French heavyweights could be looking at the 24-year-old Brazilian as a replacement.
There are plenty of reasons why Paqueta could consider switching to Lyon’s rivals in the summer, although a move to the Premier League cannot be ruled out either. While Newcastle had already made their interest concrete, the Magpies could be an exciting team to join in the summer, although Arsenal could also make an approach over a move.
Mikel Arteta is keen on bringing in more attacking talents in the summer transfer window, and Paqueta could fit in the mould of the attacking midfielder he needs at the club. The Spanish manager is steadily shifting away from the customary 4-2-3-1 and making waves with a hybrid 4-3-3.
Arteta could be looking to play two No. 8s with Thomas Partey at the base of the midfield in the new system. While they already have Martin Odegaard excelling on one side, Paqueta could eventually replace Granit Xhaka in the grand scheme of things. The Swiss midfielder is linked with a summer move to AS Roma, and Arsenal would need to sign a replacement if he left.
The left-footed Paqueta could be the ideal midfielder to succeed Xhaka in that regard, and Arsenal could weigh up an offer in the summer. It remains to be seen what Lyon might demand for their prized asset as PSG and the Gunners could enter a tussle for the Brazil international.
