Arsenal transfer blow with Lucas Paqueta not interested in joining them from Lyon and prefers Tottenham or Man City move

ARSENAL have been dealt a transfer blow as Lyon ace Lucas Paqueta is not keen on moving to the Emirates, reports suggest.

The Gunners have been keeping tabs on Paqueta, 24, during the summer transfer window with manager Mikel Arteta wanting to boost his midfield.

According to , however, the midfielder, who wants to leave Lyon, is not keen on joining Arsenal, or Newcastle who have also been linked.

Instead, the Brazil international would prefer a move to Manchester City or Tottenham, who have also shown interest.

City and Spurs pose as the likeliest candidates to sign the 24-year-old with the former leading the way.

The reigning Premier League champions are most advanced in discussions but a move will depend on Bernardo Silva's situation.

Silva is keen to move out of the Etihad and his agent Jorge Mendes is looking for a deal with either Barcelona or Real Madrid.

Tottenham had a €40million (£33.4m) bid rejected in January and will also have to make room in midfield if they want to sign Paqueta.

The Brazilian turned down Lyon's efforts to extend his contract, which runs out in 2025, after a disappointing campaign that saw the club missing on European qualification.

The Ligue 1 outfit were hoping to bring the ex-AC Milan ace's salary to the level of the highest earners.

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But president Jean-Michel Aulas is now reportedly “dreaming” of breaking the club’s record sale, which currently stands at €60m (£50.2m) that Tottenham paid for Tanguy Ndombele in 2019.

Paqueta joined Lyon from Milan in 2020 and has since amassed a total of 20 goals and 13 assists in 76 appearances.