Tottenham Hotspur have been given the green light to make their move for Lucas Paqueta this summer...
What's the word?
The 24-year-old midfielder has been linked with a move to Spurs in recent weeks, with ESPN Brazil reporting of Antonio Conte's interest, and now he could well leave Lyon before deadline day on September 1st.
That's according to L'OL president Jean-Michel-Aulas, who claims he would accept an offer if it was the right one.
“There are proposals for him. There are certain players who can feel complete in the project, and others who don’t. Economically, we have the means to pursue our ideas and objectives,” he told Goal.
"I want to keep all the good players, but you also have to be realistic. There is the player who is very important in the matter, the coach, the club, the other clubs. It is always a game between the different parties."
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Paratici gets green light
Valued at a whopping £60m by CIES Football Observatory, it is certainly going to cost a pretty penny to seal a move for the Brazil international this summer.
However, he'd be a player that Conte would love to have in his ranks as he would add some much-needed creativity and a goal threat from attacking midfield.
FBref have compared Paqueta to that of Manchester City superstar Kevin De Bruyne, as well as Paulo Dybala, so that only goes to show the sort of player Spurs could be signing.
Last season, the 24-year-old maestro delivered nine goals and six assists across 35 appearances, as per Transfermarkt. It's no wonder that he has been lauded as "extraordinary" and "amazing" by his Lyon boss Peter Bosz.
Elsewhere, teammate Jerome Boateng believes the midfielder will be a "world star" in the future.
After sealing five new additions in the form of Ivan Perisic, Fraser Forster, Yves Bissouma, Richarlison and Clement Lenglet, it would make sense to add a no.10-like presence, given it's a role that Conte currently lacks.
Therefore, Paqueta makes for an intriguing target and one that sporting director Fabio Paratici must push ahead with plans to sign after Aulas' teasing remarks.
AND in other news, Alasdair Gold drops summer transfer update...