Parc des Princes, Paris, France - September 19, 2021, Olympique Lyonnais' Lucas Paqueta celebrates scoring.
Newcastle United view Lucas Paqueta as an alternative transfer target to James Maddison and even have an offer ready to go on the table, according to French outlet Foot Mercato (via Sport Witness).
The lowdown
The Magpies have two bids for the Leicester City star rejected already, as per Sky Sports’ Keith Downie, and Ben Jacobs of CBS Sports says that they do not plan to lodge a third offer unless the Foxes ‘dramatically lower their valuation’ of the 25-year-old.
Newcastle may therefore have to find a plan B, with Brendan Rodgers revealing last week that Maddison is in talks with the Midlands club over a new contract.
The latest
The report from Foot Mercato (via Sport Witness) states that Maddison is Newcastle’s priority, but the Magpies are still keeping an eye on Paqueta, for whom they are ‘ready to put €45m-€50m’ (£38m-£42.2m) on the table to sign if necessary.
The player is said to be disappointed about Lyon’s 2021/22 campaign, which saw them finish a lowly eighth in Ligue 1.
Bruno Guimaraes is apparently a ‘powerful ally’, having struck up a friendship with his compatriot during their time together at the Groupama Stadium.
The verdict
Paqueta would be an excellent signing for Newcastle if Maddison proves to be out of reach.
The Brazilian may not have been happy with Lyon’s efforts last term, but he still managed to post strong individual numbers, with 11 goals and seven assists in 44 appearances across all competitions.
The 24-year-old has also racked up 33 caps for Brazil, currently the top-ranked international side in the world.
Paqueta has been endorsed by Zico – who once said that the Lyon ace has ‘a ton of quality’ – and Thierry Henry, who has spoken highly of his dribbling, ‘blind passing’, ‘his desire, his activity, his selflessness [and] his commitment’.
Imagine those traits coming to the fore with Paqueta in the black and white of Newcastle…
About the Author
