Lyon confirm ‘there are proposals’ for Arsenal, Newcastle United target valued at £42m

Lewis Oldham
Lyon star Lucas Paqueta

Lyon president Jean-Michel Aulas has confirmed that “proposals” have come in for Lucas Paqueta this summer amid interest from Arsenal and Newcastle United.

The 24-year-old left Flamengo in 2018 as he joined AC Milan on a permanent deal.

After a couple of seasons in Serie A, Lyon splashed out around €20m to sign him ahead of the 2020/21 campaign.


Is it just me or are Premier League goalkeepers getting younger these days?


Pacqueta has shone for Lyon, grabbing 21 goals and 13 assists in 77 appearances across all competitions. This includes 18 goal involvements in 43 outings last season.

The midfielder was named in the Ligue 1 Team of the Year in 2020/21 and he helped Brazil win the Copa America in 2019.

He has been heavily linked with a move to the Premier League in recent weeks, with Lyon valuing him at £42m.

Arsenal and Newcastle United are among the clubs interested in him. His current contract runs until the end of the 2024/25 campaign.

Lyon president Aulas has revealed that they have received offers for their prized asset this summer:

“There are proposals for him,” Aulas told reporters (quotes via Evening Standard).

“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.”

On Paqueta’s future, Aulas said: “The coach gave us his opinion and there is also what the players wants to do.”

Lyon boss Peter Bosz has previously stated: “I want to keep all the good players, but you also have to be realistic.

“Lucas is a very important player, but it depends on what the player wants. I already had a conversation with him, but that will be between us.”

Elsewhere, transfer expert Fabrizio Romano has poured cold water on reports suggesting Arsenal could sign N’Golo Kante and Edon Zhegrova this summer.

Romano has suggested that Arsenal have ‘not submitted any proposal’ for Zhegrova, who only joined Lille in January.

He adds that ‘no negotiations are ongoing’ with Chelsea over signing Kante.

Romano notes that this is ‘as things stand’, so Arsenal’s stance could alter in the coming weeks.