Arsenal may have been handed a huge boost in their reported pursuit of Lyon star Lucas Paqueta if recent reports are to be believed.
The Gunners have been heavily linked with a move for the Brazilian international in recent months, with Newcastle United, as well as Paris Saint-Germain also both said to be keen on a summer transfer. The current Ligue 1 leaders were thought to be in the driving seat to secure his signature but Italian outlet Calciomercato have now claimed that the French giants believe Lyon's asking price is too high.
Paqueta could cost up to £58million this summer, according to our sister title The Newcastle Chronicle, with the Magpies also thought to be monitoring the 24-year-old after beating Arsenal to sign his former teammate Bruno Guimaraes during the January transfer window. The north Londoners were constantly rumoured to be chasing Guimaraes over the last 12 months but the player admitted that Newcastle's ambition made moving to the Tyneside-based club an extremely exciting project.
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"I did speak to some other clubs," he told Sky Sports when asked about Arsenal's potential interest last month. "But the only concrete offer came in from Newcastle and I really wanted to come here.
"I've always wanted to play in the Premier League and on top of that it was the start of a new sporting project for the club." He even went on to claim that he is keen to help Eddie Howe and Co lift the UEFA Champions League over the next few years.
The talented midfielder added: "If a club has a project and wants to aspire to the maximum, then it's going to involve winning the Champions League. It's the biggest club competition in the world and obviously we're keen on winning the Premier League as well.
"The Premier League is fast and intense. Its physicality is similar to France but the Premier League is definitely faster but the best way to learn is by practicing so when I play, I'll be able to learn quickly."
