Arsenal receive Paqueta boost from Lyon
Cameron Smith
- 8 Aug 2022 18:45 BST
- 3 min read
Arsenal's hopes of signing Lyon midfielder Lucas Paqueta this summer have received a slight boost with reports that the Brazilian's current club have lined up a replacement should he leave this transfer window.
Paqueta, 24, has been on Arsenal's radar for a while, and despite signing Fabio Vieira to complement both Martin Odegaard and Emile Smith Rowe, the Gunners are still keen on adding the Brazil international.
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In July, Goal reported that Arsenal had initiated contact with Paqueta's representatives, with a move deemed a possibility, although the price was a sticking point. According to the report, Lyon are looking for €80 million in order to sell their star man this summer.
The French giants sold Bruno Guimaraes to Newcastle in January, but are keen to keep his compatriot Paqueta, despite re-signing Corentin Tolisso from Bayern Munich on a free transfer.
However, while Lyon are hopeful of retaining Paqueta's services for the 2022-23 season, they are aware of the interest in him. As a result, they have reportedly sounded out 18-year-old Flamengo star Victor Hugo as Paqueta's replacement should the Brazilian leave this summer, according to Filipe Frossard Papini.
Hugo signed a new deal at Flamengo in July 2022, meaning his contract at the club now doesn't expire until 2027. However, he is a target for Lyon if Paqueta moves on.
Will Paqueta leave Lyon?
It's still up in the air whether Paqueta remains at the Ligue 1 side, but the fact they've sounded out a replacement is encouraging news for Arsenal.
It may simply be an emergency plan, but if Lyon are looking at a contingency plan in case he leaves, it must signal there's at least a small chance he leaves, and with Arsenal firmly in the race for his signature, the Gunners will be hopeful of landing one of Ligue 1's best players.
