Tottenham Hotspur could make a move for Lucas Paqueta before deadline day...

What's the word?

According to French outlet L'Equipe, Spurs are planning to make another bid for the Lyon midfielder after failing to land him back in January.

It's thought that the north Londoners had a bid rejected for the Brazil international when Newcastle United were also keen on his signature, but he remained in Ligue 1 for the remainder of the season.

Paqueta has now emerged as a target for arch-rivals Arsenal and it appears as if sporting director Fabio Paratici is aiming to get one up on the Gunners here.

Premier League rivals Manchester City have also entered the running.

Spurs can deal another blow

The Lilywhites beat their foes to a fourth-place finish in the Premier League last season and could strike them another big blow by winning the race for Paqueta.

In the hunt for a new creative talent, Spurs should look no further than the £60m-rated sensation.

Last season, Paqueta delivered ten goals and seven assists across 42 appearances, and did so by playing in four different roles. He was largely deployed as a no.10 but also featured up front, as a no.8 and on the right flank, as per Transfermarkt.

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Meanwhile, as per FBref, the Brazilian ranks inside 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.

On this evidence, it's clear that Paqueta is one of the best playmaking talents available right now, so if Paratici wants to end the summer with a bang, then he should look to pay the £34m that Lyon are reportedly asking for.

Paqueta has been described as a prospective "huge signing" for Spurs by journalist Pete O'Rourke, whilst the midfielder himself has been lauded as "sensational" by verified Newcastle podcaster Dave Harvey.

With Spurs now among the frontrunners to seal his signature, the mood across north London could certainly turn sour as Arteta will surely be fuming if he loses out to their arch-rivals once again.

AND in other news, Spurs get green light to seal "exceptional" 7th signing, could be Conte's own Lampard...