According to reports, Lucas Paqueta’s agents have intervened in his transfer talks at Arsenal asking Lyon to return a favor he did to the French club by signing.
The Gunners are chasing the Brazilian international as they look to add a more senior midfielder to their ranks. Fabio Vieira has already joined Porto in a £ 34m deal, but coach Mikel Arteta wants more experience.
And the Lyon Package has become the focus of Arsenal’s attention in recent days. The Ligue 1 team sold a star midfielder in January, when Newcastle signed Bruno Guimaraes on a club record contract.
They are now asking for another important quota for Paqueta, which Arsenal are trying to reduce.
Earlier reports claimed Lyon want € 80 million (£ 67 million) for their star midfielder. Now UOL Sport says 60 million euros (£ 50 million) is the lowest bid they will consider.
But even that sum has deactivated Arsenal, and the Gunners feel Lyon have stipulated an “exaggerated” quota.
Lyon, on the other hand, believes that selling Paqueta for three times what they paid for it is more or less correct. His latest progress and the fact that he has three years left on his contract form his reasoning.
Lyon are on their heels but accept that Paqueta’s exciting rise, and the promise of a move to a new league with new opportunities, could leave them exposed.
There is also the possibility that the midfielder will lose value after a season below the level of having consumed one more year of his contract.
Lucas Paqueta’s agents help Arsenal
And Paqueta’s agents have subsequently intervened to try to further loosen Lyon’s resistance.
They have reminded the French club that their client received a pay cut to leave Milan in September 2020.
Paqueta’s side now want Lyon to return the favor by accepting a lower fee for their star player.
Despite the current friction over Paqueta’s future, both sides are handling the situation with “calm” amid the midfielder’s lack of competition and the time left in the transfer market.
In any case, Arsenal transfer boss Edu has strong ties to his Brazilian compatriot who keep the Gunners on the hunt.
The midfielder could go on
There are arguments for both parties to make their claims about the Package Transfer Fee.
The 24-year-old has three years left on his contract. This means that Lyon is in a strong negotiating position on its future.
At the same time, however, the Ligue 1 team must accept that the Pack will like a move to a new league.
So this summer may end up being the best time for Lyon to sell to make sure they get the most out of it.
Arsenal want another new midfielder this summer and clearly believe they can negotiate with Lyon over their Brazilian international.