Newcastle set to launch £50m club record bid as Eddie Howe identifies ‘major target’ - The Times

Newcastle are prepared to break their transfer record with a £50million bid for Lyon midfielder Lucas Paqueta, according to The Times.

The 24-year-old has been identified as a "major target" for Eddie Howe, with the South American number 10 also best friends with former Lyon teammate and current Brazilian teammate Bruno Guimaraes.

During their time in France, the duo formed a strong friendship that the manager will hope will transfer onto the pitch should Paqueta make the move to the Premier League.

Following the signing of Bruno in January, the club will hope that the Ligue 1 attacker will have a similar impact if he arrives on Tyneside in the coming months.

The Brazilian international has already spent a few days in Newcastle visiting his former teammate as well as celebrating Bruno's partner's birthday.

With such a large fee, the signing would take up the majority of the budget which has been estimated at around £60-80million, but could be just the player we need to push us into the top half next season.