Arteta set to ignore Arsenal legend's advice over transfer target
FT Desk
- 25 Aug 2022 15:30 CDT
- 3 min read
Arsenal legend Thierry Henry's personal recommendation proved insufficient to convince Mikel Arteta to go all out for Lucas Paqueta.
The Lyon and Brazil playmaker is in hot demand this summer after enjoying a stunning season at the Ligue 1 club.
Paqueta, 24, netted 11 goals in 44 games in all competitions and was named the division's best foreign player at the end of the campaign, beating out superstars like Lionel Messi and Neymar to the honour.
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Having struggled to make an impact at Milan upon arriving in European football, there are no longer any doubts over the ex-Flamengo wonderkid's abilities, and he has attracted fierce transfer attention.
As well as Arsenal, West Ham United and Newcastle United have been closely linked with his services, as have the likes of Paris Saint-Germain and Juventus.
The Gunners appeared to have lost ground in the transfer race, though, with West Ham now leading the way with a bid of £40 million to tempt Lyon into a sale.
Henry backs Paqueta for stardom
Henry has long been a big fan of Paqueta and spoke in glowing terms of the young star in a 2021 interview with Amazon Prime Video.
"It’s early but frankly what he’s doing… we talked about it after his match at the Parc des Princes [against Paris Saint-Germain]," the ex-Arsenal and Barcelona ace stated.
"Yes, I like dribbling and blind passes, but what I like is his desire, his activity, his selflessness, his commitment.
"In general, this is not the case with all Brazilians. A player who is fine is a little harder to replace or he is less at the service of the team when he does not have the ball.
"What impresses me with this player is that he does both with a smile. He defends and attacks with a smile. For me, that’s why we can already speak of one of the best players in the championship."
