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Report: £34m Newcastle target now wants transfer, but there’s a big catch

Photo by PAUL ELLIS/AFP via Getty Images
Photo by PAUL ELLIS/AFP via Getty Images
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LYON, FRANCE - FEBRUARY 27: Lucas Paquetá of Lyon (L) walks in the field during the Ligue 1 Uber Eats match between Olympique Lyonnais and Lille OSC at Groupama Stadium on February 27, 2022 in Lyon, France. (Photo by Marcio Machado/Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Images)
Photo by Marcio Machado/Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Images

Newcastle United target Lucas Paqueta has reportedly told Lyon his intention to leave the club this summer, however, PSG now appear the favourites to sign the Brazilian international.

According to Le 10 Sport, the Ligue 1 star is open to a transfer this summer after a January window where Newcastle’s PIF owners made a reported £34m bid for Paqueta according to a previous report from the same publication.

Paqueta has been one of Lyon’s star performers this season and one of the best players in France overall, and his form has now caught the eye of PSG, with sporting director Leonardo interested in bringing the midfielder to the Parc des Princes this summer.

With Newcastle already signing Paqueta’s former Lyon teammate and fellow Brazilian Bruno Guimaraes, the midfielder could be tempted to make the move to the northeast this summer if PSG fail to follow through with their interest.

However, the lure of playing UEFA Champions League football for the biggest club in France alongside Brazilian internationals like Neymar and Marquinhos, any glimmer of hope that Paqueta could join PSG might be enough to see the midfielder ditch the idea of joining Newcastle.

And this proposes a major problem for Newcastle, who more than likely will launch a second bid for the South American playmaker in the summer window with Paqueta now open to leaving Lyon after an incredible season in France.

Newcastle could stand no chance in beating PSG to Paqueta

PARIS, FRANCE - FEBRUARY 15: Mauricio Pochettino, Head Coach of Paris Saint-Germain speaks to the media during a press conference after the UEFA Champions League Round Of Sixteen Leg One match between Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid at Parc des Princes on February 15, 2022 in Paris, France. (Photo by Joosep Martinson - UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images)
Photo by Joosep Martinson – UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images

Newcastle will be up against the world this summer with Eddie Howe and PIF no doubt eager to take the Toon to the next level with a flurry of quality signings, yet for Paqueta, the Magpies might stand no chance at beating PSG for the midfielder.

Indeed, PSG have the funds to match Newcastle for any player in the world, and with the French club well-established and proving to be an excellent side for Brazilians, Paqueta could easily make the move to the Champions League giants in the summer.