Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta is on the verge of letting Lyon star Lucas Paqueta join West Ham without putting up much of a fight - presumably much to the dismay of Gunners legend Thierry Henry.
Paqueta has been the subject of intense interest from a number of Premier League clubs over the course of the summer and Arsenal were undoubtedly the biggest name linked with a move for the midfielder. The fact Paqueta is Brazilian only added further fuel to the rumours considering the South American contingent the Gunners appear to be building at the Emirates.
The club's technical director and fellow Brazilian Edu discussed Paqueta earlier this summer, telling TNT Sports Brasil : "I’m very respectful when I talk about Lucas. I’m a guy who likes him a lot, I’ve always liked him, since my time with Brazil’s national team. He’s had a great season, he was considered the best [overseas] player in the French league."
Edu is a former teammate of Henry's, who echoes his sentiment when it comes to Paqueta. Speaking to Amazon Prime Video, via Foot Radio, late last year, Arsenal's record goal-scorer gave a glowing review of the player as he said: "It’s early but frankly what he’s doing… we talked about it after his match at the Parc des Princes [against Paris Saint-Germain]."
He continued: "Yes, I like dribbling and blind passes, but what I like is his desire, his activity, his selflessness, his commitment. In general, this is not the case with all Brazilians. A player who is fine is a little harder to replace or he is less at the service of the team when he does not have the ball.
"What impresses me with this player is that he does both with a smile. He defends and attacks with a smile. For me, that’s why we can already speak of one of the best players in the championship."
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Despite being heralded as one of the best on the continent, the Gunners failed to offer much in the race for Paqueta's signature and look on course to miss out on him to one of their London rivals, namely West Ham. David Moyes' side are ready to part ways with £40million to entice Paqueta to the London Stadium.
Arteta has overseen five notable transfers so far this summer window, but none have come in the form of a central midfielder to deputise for the likes of Granit Xhaka and Thomas Partey.
With a week left of the transfer window, few reports are suggesting that the Gunners will bring one in - instead shifting their attention to adding another winger to their ranks. Wolves wide-man Pedro Neto is thought to be the priority target for the final push.
