Lyon president Jean-Michel Aulas has revealed that the club have received offers for wantaway playmaker Lucas Paqueta.
The Brazilian has been a revelation since moving to Lyon from AC Milan in 2020 speculation has mounted over his future following a poor campaign for the club who missed out on European football.
Both Newcastle and Arsenal have been linked with a move for the 24-year-old but Aulas remained coy on which clubs had tabled an offer.
‘Economically, we have the means to pursue our ideas and objectives.’
Arsenal have tracked the Brazil international for some time with Mikel Arteta thought to be looking to bring his creative qualities to the Emirates Stadium despite having Martin Odegaard, Emile Smith-Rowe and Fabio Vieira at his disposal.
Newcastle are also long-standing suitors and have kept tabs on Paqueta since the January transfer window when they signed his former team-mate Bruno Guimaraes from the club.
Paqueta was spotted on Tyneside in May as he attended birthday celebrations of Guimaraes’ girlfriend, sparking speculation over a double raid on Lyon.
Newcastle would have no problem going toe-to-toe with the Gunners and have the financial muscle to eclipse any financial package the north London side could offer.
Should it come down to a straight shootout between the Premier League pair, the final decision will ultimately come down to what the player wants to do with Lyon head coach Peter Bosz revealing he has held talks with the star to see how he views his immediate future.
Bosz said: ‘I want to keep all the good players, but you also have to be realistic.
‘There is the player who is very important in the matter, the coach, the club, the other clubs. It is always a game between the different parties.
‘Lucas is a very important player, but it depends on what the player wants. I already had a conversation with him, but that will be between us.’
Paqueta has registered 21 goals and 13 assists in 77 appearances for Lyon across all competitions. His contract at the Groupama Stadium runs until 2025, therefore Lyon could command a hefty fee, should they decide to cash in.
