Nottingham Forest are claimed to be the latest Premier League side targeting a deal for Lyon attacking midfielder Lucas Paqueta.
The 24-year-old has earned 33 caps for Brazil and is able to play either as a number 10 or centre-midfielder and signed for the French side in 2020. Last season, the former AC Milan playmaker registered nine goals and six assists across 35 games in Ligue 1.
Paqueta has been linked to several English clubs with both Newcastle and West Ham reported to have had bids rejected for the Brazilian. However, Steve Cooper ’s side are now said to "want" the highly-rated midfielder.
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A report from French outlet Media Foot has claimed that the Reds are the most recent club to “arrive” with an interest in Paqueta. Newcastle are said to have had an offer of €40million turned down in January, while the Hammers have also seen a €50million bid rejected this summer.
It is suggested that the attacking midfielder is not “against leaving” but that negotiations are not “progressing with West Ham”. However it is said that Lyon are “still listening” to offers for Paqueta this summer.
Media Foot states that a proposal of more than €50million (£42.2million) would “be considered” by Peter Bosz’s side. Though it is claimed that there is “little chance” that Paqueta would opt to join Forest after not forcing through a move to either Newcastle or West Ham once their respective offers arrived.
With Steve Cooper deploying a 3-5-2 formation, Jesse Lingard has occupied the number 10 spot for the Reds in their league games so far, with Orel Mangala and Lewis O’Brien sitting in central midfield. Forest also have fellow new signings Morgan Gibbs-White, Cheikhou Kouyate and Remo Freuler, among others, all competing for midfield berths, demonstrating the level of competition for places within the squad.
Should Forest make a move for Paqueta? Let us know in the comments section below
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