Lucas Paqueta's surprise Lyon omission sends hopeful Newcastle United fans into frenzy about potential signing

Lucas Paqueta was an unused substitute in Lyon’s final game of the season which has sent the Newcastle United rumour mill into overdrive. The 24-year-old has been linked with a move to the Magpies and holds a very close relationship with Bruno Guimaraes.

After not being introduced from the bench in Lyon’s win against Clermont Foot on Saturday evening, it ended his 15-game streak of featuring in Ligue 1. With nothing left to play for on the final day, it was a statement from manager Peter Bosz, especially as Paqueta has been undoubtedly the best player in the team this season.

Magpies supporters are desperate to see the Brazil international brought to Tyneside to link up with the two other Samba midfielders at the club. Paqueta sampled the city of Newcastle last weekend as he and his wife travelled to celebrate the birthday of Guimaraes’ girlfriend.

Lucas Paqueta's back garden kickabout with Bruno Guimaraes excites supporters amid Newcastle interest

A photo arose that looked to be the Lyon midfielder playing football with his international team mate wearing a Newcastle shirt, something that reportedly wasn’t received well at all by his current employers. That has only increased the desire amongst the Toon Army to see Paqueta become the next player to join Eddie Howe’s project in the North-east.

Although, as Lyon’s best player and one of the stand-out performers in the French top flight this season, he wouldn’t come cheap should he be on the shopping list at St James’ Park. One of our reports back in April stated that his price tag could be as high as £58m with wages that could total £180,000 per week.

Those financial demands could freeze United out a move with an emphasis on maintaining a conservative wage structure