Journalist Charles Watts has stated that ‘people close to’ Lucas Paqueta believe Arsenal will make a transfer bid soon.
The Brazilian has recently been linked with a move to the Gunners, following some notable quotes from Lyon president Jean-Michel Aulas.
Talk of a possible deal has led to plenty of excitement and it seems as though things could be moving in the right direction if the latest report is to be believed.
Indeed, while speaking on his YouTube channel, Watts’ claim that the word from Brazil – Paqueta’s home nation – is that Arsenal will soon make their interest in the midfielder ‘firm’.
He explained (4:18): “People close to the player believe that a bid will arrive from Arsenal, Edu is in contact with the representatives and sounding out what it might take to get him out of Lyon.
“So we’ll wait and see how that one that progresses at the moment. But certainly, the word from Brazil is that Arsenal are kind of lining up an offer and will make their interest firm at some point during the transfer window.”
Should Arsenal sign Lucas Paqueta this summer?
Yes
No
TIF thoughts on Lucas Paqueta and Arsenal…
According to a report by Goal France, Lyon will demand €80m (£67.7m) for the player, so this could prove to be a major stumbling block for the Gunners even if they are keen on making a move for Paqueta.
With that in mind, this deal could hinge on what happens next, with Edu said to be trying to sound out ‘what it might take’ to bring him to Arsenal from Ligue 1.
With nine league goals and six assists while playing in an attacking midfield role for Lyon last term, it’s not hard to see why Paqueta may have caught the eye, but the Premier League club have already spent big on attackers like Gabriel Jesus and Fabio Vieira this summer, so it seems unlikely that they would happily part with that €80m without first putting up a fight in negotiations.