Arsenal told to pay £34m for Newcastle target as player set to 'blow up' at new club

According to reports, Lyon star Lucas Paqueta is 'tipped to leave' this summer and the Arsenal target is available for £34million.

The 24-year-old joined Lyon in 2020 from Serie A side AC Milan for £17million. He's been a standout performer for them for the past two seasons.

The Brazilian international has scored 21 goals and provided 13 assists in 77 appearances for the Ligue 1 side in all competitions.

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Pacqueta has been heavily linked with Arsenal and Newcastle United in recent months. It has previously been claimed to be valued at £68million.

French outlet Media Foot are now reporting that Lyon will cash in this summer if the clubs offer £34m for Pacqueta.

The player is 'inclined to leave' this summer as he is ready to 'explode' at another club.

Lyon 'would like to keep' Pacqueta but they are clear on the situation. The report notes that Arsenal have yet to submit an official offer to sign him.

In the meantime, Arsenal have reportedly 'resumed' talks with Juventus over the signing of midfielder Arthur Melo.

The 25-year-old - who moved to Juventus from Barcelona for £68million in the summer of 2020 - was heavily linked with a move to Arsenal in January and was pushing to leave the Serie A side as his playing time reduced under Max Allegri.

The Brazilian - whose value now stands at just £16.2m, according to Transfermarkt - has started just 23 Serie A games in his two seasons at Turin, contributing just one only goal and only one assist during this period.

The Gunners' interest in the winter window has been confirmed by the player's agent and TuttoMercatoWeb (via Sport Witness) now claim Mikel Arteta's side have rekindled that interest .

The report claims that the proposed transfer has "heated up" over the past few hours and talks between the two clubs have "restarted".

Juventus are set to travel to the United States for their pre-season tour on Thursday, but it is claimed Arthur could stay in Italy despite uncertainty over his future.

The 'next days can be important' for the midfielder, with a return to Barcelona also being considered, and Roma also considering an approach.