Newcastle United

Newcastle United

Premier League • England

Lucas Paqueta: Newcastle Utd target in line for summer move as club chief drops transfer hint

Lucas Paquetá of Lyon walks in the field during the Ligue 1 Uber Eats match between Olympique Lyonnais and Lille OSC at Groupama Stadium

Newcastle United have been given renewed hope of securing a deal to sign Lucas Paqueta amid a big reveal from Lyon president Jean-Michel Aulas.

The cash-rich Magpies have been chasing Paqueta for some time. His name first emerged as a potential target in January, as the club first put their new-found wealth to good news. And while his signing utlimately evaded them then, they were still able to spend cash shrewdly.

And with the impetus from those signings pushing Newcastle towards mid-table safety, Newcastle are now seeking some high-class signings to push into the top half of the Premier League.

To that end, Newcastle have made a solid start to the summer window. With Matt Target making his move permanent, Newcastle have also brought in Nick Pope from Burnley and Sven Botman from Lille. The three additions should help make Newcastle a much tougher unit to breach.

However, Eddie Howe also wants to improve his midfield and attack. Frustratingly, long-term target Hugo Ekitike looks to have evaded Howe, with the Stade Reims striker seemingly set to join a European powerhouse.

They may have more joy, however, with Pacqueta if they decide to pursue his signing. To that end, reports last month claimed Newcastle were considering an approach for the 33-times capped Brazil playmaker.

Paqueta certainly knows Newcastle well, with his close friend Bruno Guimaraes swapping Lyon for Newcastle in January.

And Guimaraes himself admits he’d love the prospect of Newcastle moving for the 24-year-old.

Asked at the time at being reunited with his pal, the Newcastle midfielder said: “It would be my dream – Paqueta’s my best friend.”

Lucas Paqueta hopes grow for Newcastle

Paqueta is also being linked with a move to Arsenal, who also have long-standing interest in the star.

Now Lyon president Aulas suggests there is a chance the player will move on this summer.

“There are proposals for him,” Aulas said, via the Shields Gazette.

“There are certain players who can feel complete in the project, and others who don’t. Economically, we have the means to pursue our ideas and objectives. The coach gave us his opinion and there is also what the players wants to do.”

Quite what Lyon would want for the playmaker remains to be seen.

However, with three years left on his deal, it will take a significant fee to convince Lyon to sell.

For an attacking midfielder, he also posseses an excellent record. Indeed, in his two seasons with Lyon he has scored 21 times in 78 appearances.

He would be a big upgrade on Newcastle United’s current attacking midfield options were they to get a deal done.

Meanwhile, Newcastle have learned the only way they can sign Armando Broja amid claims Chelsea are considering what to do with the Albanian striker.