Newcastle United are prepared to pay a club record fee to sign Lucas Paqueta this summer.
That’s according to the Times, who claim the Brazilian midfielder has been identified as a top target by manager Eddie Howe.
The report claims that Newcastle are prepared to break their transfer record to sign the Lyon ace, who has had a season to remember in France. Paqueta was nominated for the Ligue 1 Player of the Year award, but lost out to Kylian Mbappe.
And while the PSG forward has secured a blockbuster deal to remain in France, Paqueta is being linked with a move to England.
The Times add that the 24-year-old would cost around £50million, which would eclipse Newcastle’s current biggest transfer. We paid £40million for Joelinton in 2019, while the Bruno Guimaraes deal in January could rise to £42million.
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Paqueta seen as a natural fit for Newcastle
A lot of fans are desperate to see Paqueta join Newcastle. He was recently in the area, flying over to celebrate Bruno Guimaraes’ partner’s birthday. He was even pictured wearing a Toon shirt, which sent fans into overdrive.
The Brazil international is a good friend of Bruno, which is why Newcastle reportedly see Paqueta as a good fit for the squad. He would join the Samba revolution alongside Bruno and Joelinton.
We’re also being linked with another Brazilian, with Renan Lodi a reported left-back target.
Paqueta’s friendship with Bruno could inspire a record breaking transfer at St James’ Park, but it’s a deal that was almost done in January.
Newcastle failed with bid in January
This isn’t the first time Newcastle have tried to sign Paqueta. He was actually a target in January, when the owners were looking for players to join our fight against relegation.
Paqueta was a player the club reportedly approached. However, Lyon rejected the Magpies’ £34million bid.
Newcastle would return to Lyon later in the window with a bigger offer, but for a different player. Instead it was Bruno who moved to the North East, and he’s been a revelation.
The impact Bruno has had on Tyneside could possibly inspire Paqueta to make the same move. But Newcastle are going to have to offer a lot more money than they did in January.
And the Times’ report suggests they are absolutely willing to do that.