Arsenal are one of the clubs to hold an interest in Lyon midfielder Lucas Paqueta ahead of the summer transfer window, according to reports.

Calciomercato report that Arsenal and Paris Saint-Germain are courting Lucas Paqueta, after his strong performances this season.

Mostly playing in midfield for Olympique Lyonnais, Paqueta has eight goals and five assists this campaign.

That’s inevitably going to draw interest from outside Lyon, particularly from a club looking to bolster their midfield options and add goals – like Arsenal.

24-year-old Paqueta still has a contract until 2025, having only joined Lyon in 2020. So a transfer would mean another round of prolonged negotiations with Jean-Michel Aulas.

Personally, I wonder whether a move for Paqueta might be a case of Arsenal chasing the wrong Lyon player.

Back in 2020, when Paqueta signed, there was some speculation that Lyon were looking to cover for the potential departure of Houssem Aouar. Aouar ended up staying, but he might be a better option this summer.

Paqueta generally plays centrally, but he’s a left-footed player who opts towards the right, where Arsenal already have Martin Odegaard, Bukayo Saka, and Nicolas Pepe competing for two spots.

Mikel Arteta’s side arguably has a greater need on the left.

Granit Xhaka has done pretty well since moving into a more advanced left-sided midfield role, that’s not in question.

But you’d think Aouar would be a more natural fit to the position. It’s what he’s played for Lyon regularly in the past.

The 23-year-old also only has a contract to 2023, rather than 2025.

Lyon certainly have some attractive midfield options for potential signings, that much is clear.