Former West Ham frontman Frank McAvennie believes signing Lucas Paqueta from Lyon would be an incredible signing for Newcastle given how bleak their situation looked. The five January arrivals helped transform the Magpies' season and their form since 2022 was that of European football.
Paqueta is good friends with Brazil teammate Bruno Guimaraes, with the pair growing close during their time in Lyon. The Lyon playmaker travelled to Newcastle with his partner earlier this month.
Guimaraes and Paqueta posed near the Tyne Bridge and shared photos to their Instagram accounts. Reports online suggest Newcastle could be on the verge of breaking their transfer record to sign the Brazilian, while others claim the deal is far too inflated.
READ MORE: How Carroll, Atsu, Lejeune and Newcastle United's other summer exits fared this season
McAvennie told Football Insider: “I know Eddie Howe has been talking, saying they don’t have much money to spend this summer. Let me tell you, that money is there. If they want to get this guy, and it sounds like they do, then they will.
“He’s already got a mate over there {Bruno Guimaraes] so that is a big plus for him. It’s really hard to move to another country on your own. Joelinton can help out as well, being Brazilian.
“It makes a lot of sense to me and even though £50million would be their record deal, that’s the fee they will have to pay. Clubs will ask for more money because it is Newcastle, that’s just a fact, unfortunately.
"But if they really want him, I see no problem in getting him. It would be another incredible signing for them, considering where they were.”
