Newcastle United are reportedly ready to table a €45-50 million bid to sign Manchester City target Lucas Paqueta from Lyon before the transfer deadline.
Newcastle United will reportedly turn to Lucas Paqueta if they can not iron out a deal for Leicester City’s James Maddison in the coming days. That is according to Foot Mercato, who claim the Magpies are willing to shell out a club-record fee between €45 million and €50 million to initiate a blockbuster move for the Brazilian playmaker, a target for Manchester City.
The Magpies have been monitoring Paqueta all year and even made a formal bid back in January. Lyon rebuffed the offer, and Newcastle instead went for his friend and compatriot Bruno Guimaraes, who had a transformative impact not only on their style of play but also on the entire atmosphere around St. James’ Park as he quickly became a huge fan favourite.
Newcastle still hold a serious interest in Paqueta and have had the player in their sights for the entire window, and a potential deal cannot be ruled out. However, Foot Mercato states that the Tyneside outfit’s priority ‘was and remains’ James Maddison of Leicester City, although that move is now looking very unlikely due to the Foxes’ hefty demands for the English playmaker.
Newcastle have had two bids knocked back so far for Maddison, and it feels like the deal is now off the cards, with the Englishman in talks over a new Leicester contract. Per Foot Mercato, Newcastle will submit a bid for Paqueta if the move for Maddison collapses. It is also noted that the Toon owners will not hesitate to break the bank to sign the 24-year-old and are open to offering between €45 million and €50 million to secure his services.
Manchester City have reaffirmed their interest in Paqueta but will only make a move if Bernardo Silva leaves the club to join Barcelona. Tottenham Hotspur have also enquired about the former AC Milan playmaker, but Newcastle United are in a much stronger position than the others to sign the midfielder this summer.
It has previously been reported that Paqueta could be available for a cut-price fee of €40 million. That is not the case, though, if Newcastle are thinking about starting the bidding at well above that quoted price. Nonetheless, the Brazilian playmaker would be the blockbuster signing the Newcastle fans have been crying for in recent weeks following a rather quiet summer transfer window.
Last season, he contributed nine goals and six assists in 35 Ligue 1 appearances for Lyon, and he also excelled on the international stage. Paqueta has the composure and class in attack that Newcastle are missing right now and could be a game-changing acquisition for Eddie Howe’s side. The 24-year-old is under contract with Lyon until 2025 and is said to be open to a move ot St. James’ Park.
The Magpies are confident that their offer will entice Lyon to sell the Brazilian playmaker, as Les Gones no longer have European football to keep him around. It remains to be seen whether Newcastle can get a deal over the line for the Brazilian international in a deal around €50 million before the transfer deadline or if the threat of Manchester City keeps them on their toes.