Clinton Morrison has backed reported Arsenal transfer target Lucas Paqueta for a move to the Premier League after the Lyon star impressed against West Ham United on Thursday.
Les Gones visited the London Stadium for the first-leg of the Ligue 1 side and Irons’ Europa League quarter-final tie. Jarrod Bowen broke the deadlock for the hosts on 52 minutes, but Tanguy Ndombele later pulled Lyon level against 10-men after Aaron Cresswell’s red card.
West Ham will make the trip to the Groupama Stadium next Thursday in the reverse tie for a semi-final slot. But David Moyes’ men must do what no other team has accomplished so far this season – beat Lyon, who remain unbeaten across nine European fixtures to date.
Paqueta played the full 90 minutes of the first-leg in east London for his 36th appearance of the campaign. The Brazilian has made eight of his outings in Europe, after sitting out the final group stage tie with Rangers. He has also scored twice and assisted once in five starts.
Goals have dried up for the 24-year-old in Ligue 1 over recent months, but he remains an influential presence. Paqueta has offered two assists in his last four top-flight games, but has not scored since January 9. He has fired home a total seven and created five this term.
Morrison backs Lyon’s ‘big talent’ Paqueta for Prem move with Arsenal keen
Paqueta came close to recording his seventh assist across all competitions so far this term at West Ham. The 31-cap international picked out Moussa Dembele in the box for an early chance to open the scoring. But the forward could only send his effort wide of the post.
Morrison admired what the Brazilian offered at West Ham, though. He also backs Paqueta for a transfer to the Premier League, following Calciomercato reporting Arsenal are keen on the Lyon ace. But they are not alone, with Paris Saint-Germain also among his admirers.
“Paqueta is the next one that could come over here,” Morrison said on BBC Radio 5 Live. “Newcastle took [Bruno] Guimaraes and he’s a talented individual. But I think Paqueta is a big talent and he could easily come and play in the Premier League.”
Guimaraes confirmed to Sky Sports following his move to Newcastle that he held talks with Arsenal, as well. But the Gunners did not make the Brazilian a concrete offer to leave Lyon in January. He has since started three of nine Premier League games and has scored once.
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