By Gabriel Agbonlahor

20th Sep, 2023 | 2:50pm

Agbonlahor tips Lucas Paqueta to join Newcastle United after latest - 'this will attract him'

Gabby Agbonlahor has insisted Lucas Paqueta would be interested in leaving West Ham for Newcastle in future transfer windows.

The former Aston Villa striker, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, suggested Bruno Guimaraes and Joelinton could play a role in the 26-year-old’s potential arrival.

According to Fichjaes (16 September), Newcastle are considering a January move for Paqueta in the January window after his proposed Man City switch fell through in the summer.

The collapse came as a result of an FA probe into the midfielder for alleged breaches of gambling rules.

West Ham signed the Brazil international for a club-record reported fee of £51million from French giants Lyon last summer.

He managed five goals and seven assists in 43 appearances across all competitions in his debut season in England last term – helping the Irons win the Europa Conference League.

Paqueta has made five starts in the 2023-24 campaign, notching one goal and one assist.

When asked if Newcastle would be attractive for the midfielder, Agbonlahor told Football Insider’s Ewan Kingsbury: “Of course.

“They’ve got a project now, and they’ve got the richest owners in the world.

“The ambition is to play Champions League football every season, and that will attract Paqueta – playing in the big boy competition.

“I think Paqueta would go to Newcastle, Man United, Arsenal, Liverpool – these big clubs have a bigger chance of finishing in the top four.

“The Man City move might not have happened but I think he’d choose Newcastle. He knows there is a good Brazillian contingent at the club already in Joelinton and Bruno Guimaraes.

“I think it’s a move he would seriously look at.”

In other news, Newcastle United reach £40m agreement after player dispute.