Bruno Guimaraes has revealed that “best friend” Lucas Paqueta is his dream signing and someone he’d love to be reunited with on Tyneside this summer.
The pair signed for Lyon in the same season and often play together in the Brazil national team, racking up a combined 37 appearances for the South American giants.
Paqueta came to watch Bruno in action during last month’s 2-1 win at Southampton and was spotted liking a few Newcastle United posts on social media last week.
When asked by The Chronicle who he’d like to see arrive at Newcastle this summer, Bruno said:
“Ah, Lucas Paqueta!
“He is my brother, my best friend and I really get on with him.
“We have the same way of thinking, we are the same age and we were together every day – always talking to each other.
“He is a family member that football has given me and I hope that he’s happy wherever he is.
“He’s a great guy with a massive heart and people like that deserve the very best.”
Paqueta has been linked with the like of Arsenal and Paris Saint Germain, but The Chronicle revealed earlier this month that he is a player head of recruitment Steve Nickson knows very well.
However, any move for the attacking midfielder would be expensive, with the same piece reporting that Lyon will demand around £58 million for their star man this summer.
The 24-year-old has already made 40 appearances in both Ligue 1 and the Europa League this season, with 10 goals and six assists to show for his efforts.
Not only would we be getting another highly rated attacking-midfielder – a position we were desperate to strengthen in January – but it would have such a big impact on the morale of Guimaraes, a player destined to take this club forwards.
