Lyon have reportedly agreed a deal with Milan for Brazilian international Lucas Paquetá, which could open the door for Houssem Aouar to join Arsenal.
The midfielder joined I Rossoneri from native side Flamengo in January 2019 for a fee in the region of £34 million, but was yet to make a significant impact at the club.
He managed a meager return of one goal and three assists from 44 appearances across all competitions, with his last contribution coming in the form of an assist in October 2019.
Lucas Paquetá to Lyon
The 23 year-old, whose contract was due to expire in 2023, left the club’s Milanello training facility this afternoon, emptying his locker ahead of a permanent move to Les Gones, according to Italian journalist Gianluca Di Marzio.
Compatriot Fabrizio Romano insisted that the Ligue 1 outfit had agreed terms regarding a five-year deal with Il Diavolo for the Brazilian, suggesting that the transfer would be finalised in the coming days.
Could the transfer open Arsenal door for Houssem Aouar?
In many ways, Paquetá’s acquisition would give the impression that Lyon are preparing themselves for the departure of creative playmaker Houssem Aouar.
The Frenchman has been formidable in recent years and was involved in 19 goals from 41 appearances overall last campaign, and 18 from 47 in the penultimate season.
Though Paquetá’s numbers in terms of goals and assists don’t come anywhere as near Aouar’s, there are similarities in his game. He likes to drift inside a variety of attacking positions, he likes to bring teammates into play and has terrific dribbling ability.
In a respectively less competitive league to that of Serie A, it may enable Paquetá to become the player who managed ten goals and two assists in his final league campaign for Flamengo.
As Romano alluded, Arsenal have been heavily linked with Houssem Aouar and are in discussions with the Frenchman’s agent. He indicated that there was no agreement in place as of yet, but with Paquetá joining Lyon, it seems almost inevitable that a deal with eventually be struck for Aouar.
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