An update has emerged on Newcastle United and their pursuit of Lucas Paqueta in the summer transfer window...

What's the talk?

FootMercato reporter Sebastien Denis has claimed that the Magpies "are ready" to offer at least €40m (£34m) to sign the Brazilian midfielder.

The journalist has reported that they are willing to bid between €40m and €50m to land the Lyon man, although it remains to be seen if that is enough to tempt the Ligue 1 club into selling.

He has also stated that Paqueta is their number two choice after Leicester's James Maddison, who the club have already had an offer of £40m rejected for.

Joe Willock upgrade

Newcastle could land a big upgrade on central midfielder Joe Willock by swooping to sign Paqueta before the end of the window.

Since the start of the 2021/22 campaign, the former Arsenal man has struggled to make a significant impact at the top end of the pitch. He has played 32 Premier League matches in that time and contributed with just two goals and one 'big chance' created - failing to register a single assist.

Paqueta, on the other hand, has scored nine goals and set up six in Ligue 1 in that time - playing 37 games and creating nine 'big chances'.

This suggests that he could offer a far greater threat in the final third, both in terms of scoring goals and creating them for others. Both of them played in a major European league and the Lyon talent's statistics dwarfed the Englishman's.

Defensively, Willock got stuck in last season as he made 2.7 tackles and interceptions per game but he lost 52% of his overall duels, which suggests that he had a high volume of actions rather than high quality. Meanwhile, the Lyon man made 2.2 tackles and interceptions per match and won 50% of his overall duels last term.

Howe wants the Magpies to be a pressing team and Paqueta's 23.10 pressures made per 90 over the last 365 days is similar to Willock's 23.58 - showing that they are both suited to how the manager wants the team to play out of possession.

Therefore, the Brazil international - who Peter Bosz dubbed "extraordinary" - would offer similar qualities to the current Magpies midfielder in his play off the ball, whilst being a huge upgrade in what he is able to provide with the ball at his feet in the final third.

This is why Newcastle must press ahead with a swoop to sign him from Lyon as he could elevate their attack without compromising their defensive structure.