Groupama Stadium, Lyon, France - September 30, 2021, Olympique Lyonnais' Lucas Paqueta reacts.
Fabrizio Romano has provided an update on Arsenal‘s pursuit of Lyon midfielder Lucas Paqueta.
The lowdown: Arsenal interested in Paqueta
A number of recent reports have linked the north Londoners with a move for the 24-year-old during the summer transfer window.
However, the Gunners face stern competition in order to land the Brazil international, as mega-rich Newcastle United also prepare to make an attempt to bring the versatile attacker to the Premier League.
After he reaffirmed the admiration from Arsenal in Paqueta, Romano has now cast some further light on this transfer pursuit…
The latest: Paqueta could cost £55.4m
Speaking to GiveMeSport, the transfer expert claimed that Edu and Mikel Arteta are still eyeing the 33-cap Brazil star, and they may now have learned of the funds required to make a deal happen, with a fee of €65m (£55.4m) being touted.
Romano said: “So, at the moment, there is still no bid from Arsenal for Paqueta.
“What I’m told is that Lyon want around €65 million with some add-ons included. So, the fixed fee could be lower, but they want to arrive at this potential package for Paqueta.”
The verdict: Make it happen
Holding a perceived market value of £31.5m and under contract until 2025 (Transfermarkt), signing Paqueta for anything close to the mooted £55.4m package would represent an expensive but ultimately worthwhile investment from the Emirates Stadium hierarchy.
Capable of playing as a conventional central midfielder, in a more attacking role, in wide positions and as a striker, the balletic Brazilian offers supreme levels of versatility which would be a huge boost to Arteta’s options ahead of another gruelling campaign.
Last season, Paqueta – who was lauded for a string of ‘phenomenal’ performances in Ligue 1 by European football expert Alex Barker – scored 11 times and provided seven assists in 44 appearances across all competitions.
Moreover, the former AC Milan showman’s underlying statistics were all the more impressive as he earned a 7.13 Sofascore rating whilst completing 2.3 dribbles, winning 7.3 duels and making 1.2 key passes per league game, illustrating battling qualities to complement a wide variety of attacking prowess.
Set to enter his prime footballing years , that outstanding form – combined with Edu and Arteta’s desire to further bolster the squad in N5 – makes Paqueta the ideal candidate to be the next man through the door at the Emirates.
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