Newcastle United may currently be reaping the rewards of their new-found wealth on and off the pitch - but this summer promises to be silly season when it comes to eye-catching transfer rumours and agents looking to score their client a big pay day.
One link that does have legs is Lucas Paqueta to Newcastle. The Chronicle understands interest in the 24-year-old is genuine, with Steve Nickson casting his eye over the midfielder on a number of occasions. The player himself is also said to have watched Newcastle's win over Southampton at St. Mary's earlier this year.
Paqueta has shone in France's top flight this term and is now a regular presence in Tite's Brazil setup. With eight goals and six assists to his name, he has been one of the few bright sparks in Lyon's below-par campaign - and as such is now also in the running for Ligue 1 player of the year.
READ MORE: Newcastle United star Bruno Guimaraes named in WhoScored Premier League Team of the Month
In the battle for the award, Paqueta has been nominated alongside PSG phenomenon Kylian Mbappe, former West Ham favourite Dmitri Payet, France international Wissam Ben-Yedder and Stade Rennais' Martin Terrier. Five top class players who have all enjoyed exceptional campaigns.
Anyone who has watched Paqueta knows he is a player of real star quality. This week's Ligue 1 nomination shows that - and also represents the type of players Newcastle are in the market for these days. A big name addition or two looks nailed on this summer.
Diego Carlos was a huge presence for Sevilla in their unsuccessful quest for La Liga, Sven Botman helped Lille win the league last season and Darwin Nunez has been firing goals in left, right and centre for Benfica in Europe. All players who have been heavily linked with the Magpies in recent months.
Bruno Guimaraes was courted by Arsenal and Juventus before making the move to the north east, while Kieran Trippier left Spanish giants Atletico Madrid for a Newcastle switch. Both players have backed up the hype that accompanied their moves and have also made the Magpies an attractive prospect for players across Europe.
Signing Paqueta will not be easy this summer. Not only will there be other suitors, notably Arsenal once again, but Lyon president Jean-Michel Aulas plays hardball when it comes to selling his best players. Speaking earlier this year, he admitted £67m was the asking price for his man this summer.
'Agent Bruno' will help move things along, however. The two share a strong bond and the Newcastle fan favourite has already publicly asked his compatriot to make the move. “Paqueta is my best friend, we made a relationship, not only on the field, but we lived together all the time outside," he said. "Our wives together too. It was a brotherly relationship, we still talk every day. It would be really cool if he could come here, but I can’t do this job."
