NUFC have "genuine" interest in signing £58m "joy to watch", supporters will love it - opinion

An update has emerged on Newcastle United and their pursuit of Lucas Paqueta heading into the summer transfer window…

Daily Express journalist Ryan Taylor has confirmed that the Brazilian is a player PIF are interested in bringing to the club ahead of the 2022/23 campaign.

The Lyon man played with current Magpies star Bruno Guimaraes in France and is reportedly valued at £58m by the Ligue 1 outfit.

Taylor told GIVEMESPORT: “I know they will shop abroad as well.

“I know Lucas Paqueta from Lyon would be sort of a marquee signing for them; he’s been in Newcastle this week actually because he’s good friends with Bruno Guimaraes.

“I know Newcastle fans are kind of angling for that one. He is a genuine target, so it’ll just be interesting to see how much Newcastle will have to play with, but nobody truly knows at the moment.

“I think we’ll kind of gauge that from the first sort of offers they make and what kind of players they firm up interest in.”

Toon supporters will love this claim from Taylor as Paqueta would be an excellent, exciting, addition to Eddie Howe’s midfield options.

He enjoyed a fine season in France as he started 35 of Lyon’s 38 Ligue 1 outings. The midfielder averaged a superb SofaScore rating of 7.13 across those games as he impressed throughout the campaign, delivering brilliant displays on a regular basis.

Talent scout Jacek Kulig dubbed him a “joy to watch” and his statistics in 2021/22 back that up. Paqueta proved that he can make a big impact in the final third as he scored nine goals and produced six assists for his club.

Meanwhile, Newcastle’s top scorer in the Premier League was Callum Wilson with eight strikes and the second-top scorers were Guimaraes and Allan Saint-Maximin with five each. The Lyon