ARSENAL are in pole position to sign Lyon midfielder Lucas Paqueta, according to reports.
Paqueta, 24, has emerged as one of Mikel Arteta’s top transfer targets this summer.
Arsenal are looking to sign Paqueta from Lyon Credit: Getty The Arsenal boss is a known fan of the Brazilian, who scored 10 goals in 34 appearances last season.
He has even sent scouts to watch him on a number of occasions.
While no formal bid has been made yet, the prospect of a move is ‘very possible’ according to transfer journalist Ben Jacobs, who has suggested that the Gunners will approach Paqueta before making an offer.
Brazilian outlet UOL Esporte have also claimed that Arsenal ‘appear the main candidate’ to sign him.
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Gunners quoted £33m for N’Golo Kante, Milinkovic-Savic £42.3m offer lined up Technical director Edu and Arteta are both keen to complete a deal, however, Lyon are demanding at least £55million for the midfielder.
Arsenal will consider other options if an agreement cannot be struck, with Leicester midfielder Youri Tielemans another known target.
The Belgian has less than a year remaining on his current contract, so he could leave the King Power for as little as £30m this summer.
The Gunners have reportedly been working on the transfer for a year and are claimed to have negotiated personal terms with Tielemans.
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However, an official bid has not been made yet.
Sergej Milinkovic-Savic is another potential target, but Arteta and Edu are reluctant to pay Lazio’s £68m asking price.
Arsenal have already spent around £83m this summer by signing Marquinhos, Fabio Vieira, Matt Turner and Gabriel Jesus.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk