Arsenal handed boost in £33.5m Lucas Paqueta transfer hunt as Lyon chief admits they need to ‘reduce squad size’ https://ift.tt/vhxy28p

LYON chief Bruno Cheyrou has refused to rule out selling Lucas Paqueta to Arsenal.

The Brazilian, 24, is a player who has been repeatedly linked with the Gunners in recent months.

Newcastle are also thought to be interested after he scored ten goals and provided seven assists in all competitions for Lyon last season.

But it is Arsenal who appear to be frontrunners to bring the attacking midfielder to the Premier League amid rumours the Ligue 1 club have dropped their asking price to around £33.5million.

Now Lyon’s head of recruitment Cheyrou has poured further fuel on the fire regarding a move for Paqueta to the Emirates as he provided an insight to their approach in the final month of the transfer window.

He said: “We need to reduce the squad size. In terms of departures, we will analyse offers on a case-by-case basis but the economics will come into consideration.

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“We will consider the offers with Jean-Michel Aulas and Vincent Ponsot in order to make the best decisions.

“I am here to ensure the best team possible, but there are other things to take into account as well.”

When he was asked specifically about Paqueta’s future, he admitted: “We are prepared for every eventuality.”

Arsenal’s own technical director Edu recently revealed his admiration for the ex-AC Milan ace but denied any transfer talks had taken place.

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He said: “I’m very respectful when I talk about Lucas.

“I’m a guy who likes him a lot, I’ve always liked him, since my time with Brazil’s national team. He’s had a great season, he was considered the best [overseas] player in the French league.

“But today, there really isn’t any kind of talk, there’s only my admiration for the player, because the squad today is, in the position he plays, I think we’re very well served in this regard.”

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