Romano: Edu makes "contact" over "amazing" £34m Arsenal signing, Arteta would love him - opinion

Arsenal have made contact over the potential transfer of Lucas Paqueta but are yet to launch an official bid…

That’s according to transfer guru Fabrizio Romano, who claims that the Gunners currently aren’t close to another signing after sealing Oleksandr Zinchenko from Manchester City but they do hold an interest in the Lyon midfielder.

“At the moment there is nothing close for Arsenal.

“There is an interest because Edu, of course, with his Brazilian link knows the players so well and had some contact with his agent but never submitted a proposal,” he revealed to GIVEMESPORT this week.

It’s thought that the Ligue 1 outfit have slashed their asking price for the Brazil international to around £34m, with French outlet Media Foot also claiming that the north London giants are the favourites to seal his signature this summer window.

Having made contact with Paqueta’s representatives, it would be wise for Edu to follow up that initial interest with a formal offer as the Lyon star could add a lot to Mikel Arteta’s engine room.

The 24-year-old dynamo is one of the best players in his position across Europe as he has continue to deliver goals and creativity from an advanced midfield role.

Indeed, Paqueta provided 18 goal contributions (11 goals, seven assists) across 43 appearances last term, via Transfermarkt.

He currently ranks within the top 1% for goals (0.3), shots (3.06), shots on target (1.07) and through balls (0.41) per 90, as well as the top 2% for expected assists (0.25) and shot-creating actions (3.99) per 90, when compared to his fellow midfielders across Europe’s top divisions, as per FBref.

In terms of wing potential, he is comparable to ex-Gunners gem Serge Gnabry, whilst FBref also fit him in the profile of Jude