PSG have reportedly identified Newcastle United target Lucas Paqueta as their long-term replacement for Argentine international Angel Di Maria, who is set to leave this summer.
According to L’Equipe via GFFN, Mauricio Pochettino’s side are keen to offload numerous players over the age of 30, with Di Maria in line to face the chop with the winger’s contract set to expire at the end of this season.
The 120-cap Argentina international has been a key part of this current generation of PSG, yet the club are now willing to part ways with the former Real Madrid superstar, with Paqueta eyed as a replacement for Di Maria.
The Olympique Lyonnais star has blossomed in Ligue 1 over the past two seasons, with clubs from Europe now eyeing Paqueta ahead of the summer transfer window, namely Newcastle, who reportedly made a bid for the Brazilian in January.
Le 10 Sport report that the Magpies made an offer worth £34m for Paqueta, with Newcastle eager to reunite the Lyon maestro with his former teammate Bruno Guimaraes in the northeast.
Indeed, Paqueta’s form, hailed as ‘sensational’ by Total Football Analysis, has naturally made him a top target for clubs like PSG, and with the UEFA Champions League giants now eyeing a move for the midfielder to replace Di Maria, Newcastle could be out-muscled for the 24-year-old.
PSG pull could be too much for Paqueta amid Newcastle’s interest
Newcastle are set to be one of the biggest spenders in the summer window this year, yet even with their fortune, the pull of PSG will be too much for them to sign Paqueta, who now looks set to make the move to Paris in the coming months.
The Brazilian fits the profile for what the French club is looking for, and with Paqueta ten years younger than Di Maria, the former AC Milan star could be a perfect player to replace the Argentine superstar in the summer.
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