Arsenal are preparing to battle it out with Paris Saint-Germain for the signing of Lyon playmaker Lucas Paqueta.
After a one-and-a-half-year stay with AC Milan, Lucas Paqueta, 24, joined Lyon in the summer of 2020 and has since been a crucial player for them. He enjoyed a solid debut season with Lyon, where he racked up 10 goals and six assists in 34 games across all competitions.
The Brazilian international has managed to take his game to the next level under Peter Bosz this season, thriving in a false 9 role. He has bagged eight goals and registered five assists on top of that in 30 appearances, although the playmaker has managed only one goal in the last 11 Ligue 1 outings.
Regardless, Paqueta has been catching the eye in France, with Arsenal and PSG keeping tabs ahead of potential summer bids. He has a contract at Groupama Stadium until 2025, which makes it difficult for clubs to understand his actual price tag, with Newcastle United having a €40 million bid rejected by Lyon in the January transfer window.
With his stock on the rise, Peter Bosz’s Lyon will aim to qualify for European football next season to stand any chance of keeping hold of the Brazilian playmaker.
Arsenal to strengthen midfield department?
Following a quiet January transfer window, Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta will be keen to bolster various areas of the pitch in the summer. The north London club will be confident of luring top talents to the Emirates Stadium, especially if they have the added bonus of Champions League football.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s January departure on a free transfer to Barcelona has left Mikel Arteta with only two striker options in Alexandre Lacazette and Eddie Nketiah. But as both Lacazette and Nketiah are out of contract in June, the Gunners may make buying a top-quality striker a priority.
In addition to a striker, Arteta could look to add to his midfield unit that has limited depth. A creative midfielder to compete and support Martin Odegaard and Emile Smith Rowe next season would be ideal.
Should the Gunners make a move for Lucas Paqueta?
Lucas Paqueta is one of the latest attacking players to be linked with a move to Arsenal following his exploits with Lyon. Is Paqueta someone that Arsenal should be after? Definitely. At 24, he fits the mould of signings the club has started making under Arteta in the last two years.
The Selecao ace is a creative and goalscoring midfielder with an international pedigree. Technically solid, quick and silky with a dash of flair, Paqueta has managed to revive his career at Lyon following a forgettable spell with AC Milan. He would undeniably bring quality to the Gunners’ ranks, whilst his versatility to operate in many attacking positions adds more value to his name.
With his contract not up until 2025, the Brazilian international would cost a fortune. Plus, with PSG interested in him, Arsenal will have to act quickly if they are really interested in Paqueta.
I am Rohan Sengupta from one of the busiest cities in India, Mumbai. A Journalism graduate with a keen interest in sports, football is something I simply cannot live without and writing, discussing and analyzing the game is what I do 24*7.
