New Lucas Paquetá claims arrive from France as NUFC identify 'plan B' to Premier League star

Another day, another report tipping us to make a move for Lyon star Lucas Paqueta.

According to French outlet Foot Mercato, Newcastle see the Brazilian as the ideal 'plan B' to Leicester City star James Maddison - who is believed to be our priority target.

However, with it looking as though we'll be priced out of a move for the Foxes midfielder, they claim that we're preparing to launch a bid in the region of €40-50m (£34-42m) for Paqueta.

Sebastien Denis - the editor-in-chief at Foot Mercato - also writes that we have a 'powerful ally' in Bruno Guimaraes regarding Paqueta's potential move to St James' Park, suggesting he could play a big role in attracting his best friend to Tyneside.

That said, we'd need to have a bid accepted by Lyon to make that happen, so it will be interesting to see if we do actually up our interest in the 24-year-old and launch a formal offer.

Paqueta made it clear last month that he was keen to leave the Ligue 1 giants, who have failed to qualify for Europe after finishing 8th last season.