Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta is desperate to sign Lyon midfielder Lucas Paqueta, according to CBS journalist Ben Jacobs.

The Spaniard has already made four signings this window, including Fabio Vieira, but the Gunners manager is still hoping to make further midfielder additions.

What's the latest news involving Paqueta?

According to Goal, Arsenal are interested in signing the 33-cap Brazil international, although the report suggests the north Londoners will have to break the bank to bring Paqueta to the Emirates.

GiveMeSport Transfer Verdict

Despite technical director Edu 'informing the player's staff' that Arsenal want to make a proposal for his services, Lyon are reportedly asking for €80m (£67m) for the 25-year-old's services.

Should Arsenal meet the French club's asking price, it would see them come close to the record fee they paid Lille for Nicolas Pepe (£72m) back in 2019.

But Jacobs believes that while Newcastle are also in the running for Paqueta's signature, he's a player that Arteta is keen on bringing to the Premier League.

What did Jacobs say about Paqueta?

He told GIVEMESPORT: "Paqueta is a player Arteta really wants, though. It won't be an easy negotiation with Lyon and Newcastle have enquired, too.

"Lyon president Jean-Michel Aulas is going to hold out for at least 55 million and even asked for closer to 70 million back in January."

How did Paqueta perform last season?

Beyond Tete, who made just nine top-flight appearances following his January arrival, Paqueta was rated as Lyon's best player last season, according to WhoScored.

Helped by an impressive nine Ligue 1 goals and six assists from midfield, his 7.24 rating was also boosted his four man of the match awards, which was the most in the squad.

Paqueta might have had one of the worst success rates when it came to passing (79.6 per cent), but his six assists was the most in the squad.

He was also in the top six players for most average shots per game, key passes, tackles, and dribbles, which suggest that he's an all-action operator and therefore it's not difficult to see why Arteta wants to bring him to Arsenal.

Signing Paqueta might force the Gunners hierarchy to dig deep into their pockets, but him, along with the likes of Gabriel Jesus and Vieira could have the capital club dreaming about a return to the Champions League.