By Jacob Potter
Arsenal are rumoured to be weighing up a move for West Ham midfielder Lucas Paquetá ahead of the summer transfer window, as Mikel Arteta looks to strengthen the depth of his squad ahead of the 2023/24 season, which could be another memorable one for the Arsenal supporters.
The Gunners have stunned the likes of Manchester City, Liverpool, Manchester United, and Chelsea in mounting a serious push for the Premier League title this term, and given that they’re top of the table heading into the final few matches of this year’s campaign, you can’t blame the club’s fans for getting over excited and dreaming of a long overdue league title, which is something that hasn’t been achieved since the 2003/04 season under the management of Gunners legend, Arsene Wenger.
A top-four finish in the Premier League is all but confirmed ahead of the new league campaign in August, and with that, it means that Arteta’s side will be playing their football in the Champions League next season, which is an upgrade in quality from this year’s Europa League campaign, which ended in disappointing fashion, as Arsenal were beaten by Portuguese side Sporting Lisbon on penalties, in what was only the second-ever penalty shoot-out at The Emirates Stadium.
With Champions League football looking likely next season, it’s hugely important that the Gunners look at strengthening the depth of their squad, as in previous seasons, this has been their undoing. You would imagine that Arsenal are now becoming an ‘attractive’ club to sign for ahead of next season, as in previous years, you couldn’t blame players for steering clear, as they look to pursue careers at clubs challenging for trophies on a consistent basis.
However, Arsenal are becoming just that, and with a player of Paquetá’s quality being linked with a move in the summer transfer window, you can see that the tide is turning at The Emirates Stadium. The Brazilian midfielder has made () appearances in all competitions for West Ham this season, in what is his first year in English football, having made the move to London from French side Lyon in August 2022. At the age of 25, he’s made over 40 appearances for Brazil’s senior side as well, which speaks volumes about his quality, as that Brazil team consists of some of the best players in the world.
It could turn out to be a smart bit of recruitment by Arsenal as well, as Team Talk previously revealed that Paquetá could be available at a cut-price deal if West Ham were to be relegated into the second-tier of English football, which would have been almost unthinkable a few seasons ago. The Hammers have struggled for momentum this season though, and are in serious danger of dropping back into the Championship, having last played their football at that level back in the 2011/12 season.
Paquetá might not be the only player potentially heading to Arsenal this summer though, with England international Declan Rice also being linked with a move to Arteta’s side, and regardless of which division West Ham are playing their football in next season, the Hammers skipper looks likely to be heading for the exit door, as he’s shown himself to be a class-apart in that West Ham team.
Experts at My Betting Sites have revealed that Rice is priced at 5/2 with Parimatch to join Arsenal during the 2023 summer transfer window. Below, you’ll find the betting odds on Rice to join any other club with Parimatch.
- Chelsea @ 6/1
- Manchester United @ 8/1
- Manchester City @ 8/1
- Liverpool @ 8/1
- Newcastle United @ 12/1
- Tottenham Hotspur @ 33/1
Odds correct as of 3:57 pm, Monday 27th March 2023. Odds are subject to change.
It would be a real statement of intent by Arsenal if they were to land both Rice and Paquetá’s signature in the summer transfer window, but at the same time, it’d also be a smart acquisition, especially given the potential cut-price deal they could get for Paquetá in particular. Arsenal need strength in depth, and Paquetá and Rice would certainly provide them with just that.
For now though, Arsenal effectively have a handful of so-called cup finals to play in the Premier League, and if they can hold their nerve, they’ll be lifting a long-awaited Premier League title in May, much to the delight of their supporters, who have been through their fair share of low points in the last ten years.