Report reveals ‘new Newcastle offensive’ for Brazilian with €45-50m bid lined up

Joe Williams
Newcastle target Lucas Paqueta runs with the ball

Newcastle United are still interested in signing Lyon playmaker Lucas Paqueta with the Premier League club ready to bid, according to reports.

The Magpies have been fairly quiet in the summer transfer window with just Sven Botman, Matt Targett and Nick Pope arriving on permanent deals.

Newcastle – who drew 3-3 with Manchester City on Sunday – are expected to be busy before the end of the transfer window with the club looking to sign more attacking players to boost their options at the top of the pitch.


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Attacking midfielder Paqueta has been linked previously with a move to St James’ Park and now French publication Foot Mercato believes Newcastle are back in for the Brazilian.

Last season, Paqueta contributed nine goals and six assists in 35 Ligue 1 appearances for Lyon, while the 24-year-old has also impressed on the international stage.

And Foot Mercato claim that Paqueta is the subject of ‘a new Newcastle offensive’ which ‘could well put a premature end’ to his time at Lyon.

With lots of interest in Paqueta, the report adds that there is ‘no indication’ he will still be a Lyon player come the end of the transfer window.

And Newcastle are ‘ready to put between 45 and 50 million euros to snatch the player’ while there have also been ‘timid approaches from Tottenham and Manchester City’.

Foot Mercato insist that the Geordies’ ‘priority was and remains James Maddison’ at Leicester but that deal is ‘wobbling’ over the Foxes huge demands for the attacking midfielder.

And Newcastle are hoping to land Paqueta if they fail in their pursuit of the England international with the Magpies hoping they ‘can count on a strong ally’ in the form of Paqueta’s international team-mate Bruno Guimaraes.

Paqueta is ‘much appreciated by the supporters’ at the Groupama Stadium but ‘remains disappointed with Lyon’s last season’ in which they finished eighth in Ligue 1.

Chelsea winger Christian Pulisic has been linked heavily with a loan move to Newcastle and Manchester United and transfer expert Fabrizio Romano expects his future to be “resolved soon”.

“A lot continues to be written about Christian Pulisic’s future, and I expect this could be resolved soon. Still, I wouldn’t bet on him ending up at Old Trafford,” Romano told Caught Offside.

“Manchester United’s only request for information for Pulisic was a week ago, but Chelsea would not want to accept a loan deal with an important club like Man Utd.

“Newcastle have also wanted him on loan for months, certainly a decision will be made soon.

“As for Man United, they are now focused on Antony or Cody Gakpo for that position. Antony missed Ajax’s game against Sparta Rotterdam as he wants his club to negotiate a move, so that’s one to keep an eye on.”