Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta is on the verge of allowing Lyon star Lucas Paqueta to join West Ham without a fight, much to the chagrin of Gunners icon Thierry Henry.
Paqueta has been the subject of considerable attention from a number of Premier League clubs this summer, with Arsenal being the most prominent name connected with a move for the midfielder. The fact that Paqueta is Brazilian merely added gasoline to the speculations, given the Gunners’ apparent South American contingent at the Emirates.
Edu, the club’s technical director and a fellow Brazilian, spoke to TNT Sports Brasil earlier this summer, saying, “I’m really polite when I talk about Lucas.” I’m a big fan of him and have been since my days with the Brazilian national team. He had a fantastic season and was regarded as the greatest [overseas] player in the French league.”
Edu is a former teammate of Henry’s who shares his feelings towards Paqueta. Speaking to Amazon Prime Video via Foot Radio late last year, Arsenal’s record goal-scorer offered the player a positive evaluation, saying: “It’s early but basically what he’s doing… We discussed it following his match against Paris Saint-Germain at the Parc des Princes.”
“Yes, I enjoy dribbling and blind passes,” he added, “but what I admire is his passion, activity, selflessness, and devotion.” In general, this does not apply to all Brazilians. A fine player is more difficult to replace or is less useful to the team when he is not in possession of the ball.
“What strikes me about this athlete is that he accomplishes both while smiling. With a smile, he protects and assaults. That is why, in my opinion, we can already speak of one of the championship’s top players.”
Despite being regarded as one of the greatest on the continent, Arsenal failed to offer anything in the hunt for Paqueta’s signature, and look certain to lose him to a London rival, West Ham. David Moyes’ team is willing to pay £40 million to bring Paqueta to the London Stadium.
So far this summer, Arteta has overseen five major transfers, but none have been for a central midfielder to deputize for the likes of Granit Xhaka and Thomas Partey.
With a week left in the transfer window, few rumours suggest that the Gunners will bring one in, instead focusing on adding another winger to their squad. Pedro Neto of Wolves is regarded to be the primary target for the final drive.