Newcastle United target Lucas Paqueta revealed earlier this year his ambition is to become a legend at Lyon. As reported by ChronicleLive, the Brazilian - who is best friends with Toon midfielder Bruno Guimaraes - is a target for the Magpies this summer.
A £58million price tag has been slapped on Paqueta after a stellar season in Ligue 1. Despite Lyon’s struggles, the 24-year-old has bagged nine goals and made six assists this campaign to attract a string of suitors on the continent.
Arsenal are monitoring the situation but Lyon are not desperate to sell as Paqueta’s contract runs until 2025. In January, the midfielder even committed to an ambitious future at the club. Speaking to Amazon, he said: “I want to write history with Lyon. I will do everything to win titles, to engrave my name in the history of this club.”
However, subsequent reports have painted a contrasting picture. French outlet Le10sport claimed in March that Paqueta was ‘increasingly open’ to leaving Lyon - where he has played since 2020. The Brazilian also told Twitter he would attend Newcastle's trip to Southampton last month to watch his former teammate - a game where Guimaraes announced himself to Toon supporters in style with a brilliant backheel winner.
Another potential obstacle for the Magpies to consider is the 15% sell-on clause inserted in Paqueta’s contract when Lyon signed him from AC Milan. ChronicleLive understands the inflated £58million asking price may have already repelled PSG, leaving a straight shoot-out between Newcastle and Arsenal.
The key to any deal could be January arrival Guimaraes, who has quickly settled into life on Tyneside. He, too, told the press that his ambition was to win trophies at Lyon before joining Newcastle four months later.
“Arsenal approached my agent, but there was no offer,” Guimaraes told Globo last August. “My aim, and I made it clear to Juninho (sporting director), is to win a title with Lyon. But I have never hidden my desire to play in the Premier League.”
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