Martin Odegaard was Arsenal’s best midfielder during the last campaign due to the creativity he added in Mikel Arteta’s squad. However, there was a lot of burden on the Norway international to be the creative source without much support, and it is an issue that Edu must address in the summer transfer window.
The Gunners have been given a key price tag to this solution. According to French news outlet L'Equipe, Lucas Paqueta wants to leave Lyon at the end of the season with the Ligue 1 side set to demand €60million (£51million) to secure his services in the summer transfer window.
Arsenal are in desperate need of a midfielder ahead of next season. Paqueta would be able to fill this gap, and be the solution to the creativity burden that is placed on Odegaard, which should persuade Edu to explore a possible deal.
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According to Calciomercato, the Gunners are interested in signing Lyon midfielder Paqueta. Paris Saint-Germain and Newcastle are also said keen on acquiring the Brazilian ahead of next season, while football.london understands that Tottenham are also tracking the 24-year-old.
Mikel Arteta has had problems with the midfield this season due to the lack of quality in squad depth, and that has hindered the club’s progress at times. If the Spaniard opts for three players in the centre of midfield then Paqueta would be an excellent option to have on the left-hand side for the future.
Arsenal have attempted to sign midfielders from Lyon in the past in Bruno Guimaraes and Houssem Aouar. So, if the club does pursue a deal for Paqueta, then Edu must ensure that the club avoids embarrassment for the third time.
Paqueta joined the Ligue 1 side from AC Milan ahead of the 2019/2020 season and has since then gone on to make 64 appearances, scoring 18 goals while providing 11 assists in the process. Arsenal certainly needs to add to their midfield firepower, and Paqueta would certainly be a good signing if he is available and there is an extra incentive to beat Newcastle to his signature after they stole Guimaraes.
Paqueta would be an excellent addition to Arteta’s squad and would add to the strong Brazilian contingent that is already at his disposal. Edu should certainly come through with a strong proposal for Paqueta on why he should make the switch to north London.
Odegaard would certainly welcome a transfer to ease the pressure for him to create chances and also give Arsenal an extra source of creativity that the squad was crying out for last season. It will cost £51million to secure his services and solve to midfield solutions that needs looking at for Arsenal, meaning it is a deal that the Gunners should certainly pursue.
