Lyon president Jean-Michel Aulas has confirmed receiving bids for Lucas Paqueta amid rumours linking the Brazilian to Arsenal.
Arsenal are reportedly interested in Lucas Paqueta as per the latest reports. The Brazilian midfielder is a target for many top clubs across the continent, and the Lyon star is likely to depart the Ligue 1 club in this window.
Reports from France insisted Arsenal were pushing hard for Paqueta, although Lyon believed the player was interested in remaining at the club and becoming the face of the project at the Groupama Stadium. However, the Brazilian is could be open to a move away, and the Premier League could be his next destination.
Lyon president Jean-Michel Aulas insists the attacking midfielder has options on the table and is confirmed to have received bids recently. Goal.com quoted the Lyon supremo as he provided the latest update the situation of Paqueta.
Aulas said: “There are offers for him. There are some players who can feel fully fulfilled in the project and others who are not. Economically, we have the means to pursue our ideas and our objectives.”
Arsenal have not made an offer for Paqueta as of yet but could be on the verge of submitting one if the player is open to leaving Lyon this summer. The north London side are also heavily linked with Youri Tielemans, who could be a more financially viable option compared to Paqueta.
Furthermore, Lyon manager Peter Bosz admitted speaking to Paqueta about his future but gave a rather concerning response to the midfielder situation, who is also a target for Newcastle United.
Bosz said: “I want to keep all the good players, but you also have to be realistic. There is the player who is very important in the case, the coach, the club, the other clubs. It is always a game between the different parties. Lucas is a very important player, but it depends on what the player wants. I’ve already had a conversation with him, but that will remain between us.”
Lyon are expected to demand a steep price for Paqueta, who has a long-term contract with the club. The fee could be around the same figure as the amount they received for Bruno Guimaraes from Newcastle United or even more. With the French club already fielding offers for the 24-year-old Brazilian, Arsenal will have to step up their pursuit if they want to add him to the squad.