Newcastle United and Arsenal have both been handed a transfer boost as it has emerged that Lyon midfielder Lucas Paqueta is on the transfer market this summer.
Both Premier League clubs have reportedly shown interest in the midfielder, who can also play as a striker when needed, though it is the Magpies who have been credited with a stronger interest following their capture of Bruno Guimaraes in January.
Now, the 24-year-old is on the market as one of six players that Lyon are keen to sell this summer, French outlet L’Equipe report.
However, the price tag may prove something of a stumbling block, with Jean-Michel Aulas reportedly demanding around 60m euros (£51.3m) for his star man.
Whether or not he is willing to negotiate on such a price is unclear, though Lyon not having European football next season may force his hand more than usual.
Lucas Paqueta wants to leave Lyon, according to L’Equipe. OL want €60m for the Brazil playmaker.
Since Juninho left the club, he’s never quite been the same player.
Newcastle have been linked but I’ve been told they haven’t made a concrete approach.
— Robin Bairner (@RBairner) June 9, 2022
Would Paqueta fit either club?
In theory, Lucas Paqueta could prove a brilliant addition to either side, but there are significant stumbling blocks. Mikel Arteta and co. seem to be favouring Premier League ready players, with the likes of Youri Tielemans, Ruben Neves, and Oleksandr Zinchenko all linked with the north London side, and all cheaper than Paqueta.
Newcastle, meanwhile, have already experienced success down this route before with Bruno Guimaraes, but have other places in their squad to strengthen first, with Sven Botman and Hugo Ekitike both looking likely to join the Magpies from Ligue 1 sides.
Whether they could afford to shell out a further £50m on a position in which they are adequately, if not strongly stacked in, is unclear.