Arsenal are yet to come into contact with Olympique Lyonnais over a potential move for Brazil international Lucas Paquetá, according to Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano.
The Gunners have been active in the market and rumoured to be keen on bolstering their midfield options before the close of the window.
Following links to Leicester City’s Youri Tielemans, Sergej Milinkivic-Savic from Lazio and, most recently, Chelsea man N’Golo Kanté, Paquetá becomes the latest player associated with a move to the Emirates Stadium.
Reports in France suggested Arsenal were set to make a move for the coveted Brazilian, but Romano believes that is yet to happen as Lyon name their price.
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According to the journalist, Paquetá’s camp have denied entering negotiations with the Gunners, yet to make a move, but the player remains keen on a switch to the Premier League.
“At the moment, Paquetá’s camp has denied the negotiations because so far Arsenal have not made any proposals for Lucas,” Romano stated.
“It will be a situation to be monitored until the end of the transfer market because Paquetá would love to play in the Premier League."
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“Lyon often end up selling their star players, but Paquetá won’t come cheap. His club would like at least €60-65m, plus add-ons, for the Brazilian.”
The news comes after Lyon president Jean-Michel Aulas confirmed that offers had been received for the 24-year-old, also reportedly being tracked by Newcastle United.
Aulas didn’t disclose where the bids had come from, however.
While the rumours around Paquetá pick up, Lyon have already made their move to beef up the midfield with the arrivals of Johann Lepenant and ex-player Corentin Tolisso.
Paquetá isn’t alone in the focus aimed at Les Gones, with former Arsenal transfer muse Houssem Aouar also reportedly available after the club’s failure to secure European football.
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At the age of 20, Paquetá made the big jump to A.C. Milan from Flamengo back in January 2019 for £34 million.
Uncertainty at the Italian club soon found the creative midfielder fall out of favour at the San Siro, however, with Lyon moving quickly to snap him up for £18 million in 2020.
After 65 Ligue 1 appearances and 29 goal contributions across two seasons, the Brazilian has seen the interest in him spike.
As per the original reports from Media Foot, Arsenal’s focus is on convincing the player to join them first before entering negotiations with Lyon.
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Lucas Paqueta is the latest player to be linked with a move to the Emirates in what is a busy summer for the Gunners.
Links to Lisandro Martinez seem to be dying down as Manchester United close in on Erik Ten Hag's former player.
Topics: Arsenal, Mikel Arteta, Newcastle United, Transfers
Patrick Ribeiro