Aston Villa plot Lucas Paqueta transfer as possible shirt number, wage and more revealed
Aston Villa are interested in bringing Lucas Paqueta to Villa Park in what could be one of the signings of the summer.
The cracks in Unai Emery’s squad were on full display during Villa’s 1-0 defeat to Brentford at the Gtech Community Stadium.
But the Villans could have a strong end to a mediocre window as Villa ramp up their efforts to sign Marco Asensio and Nicolas Jackson before 1 September.
Paqueta is the latest name to have piqued Villa’s interest. The midfielder is believed to be ready for a fresh challenge beyond West Ham.
With his arrival at Villa Park a real possibility, Villa News analyses which shirt number he could wear.
Lucas Paqueta could wear the 10 for Villa
Paqueta will no doubt land at Villa, hoping to be the recipient of the Villans’ number 10 shirt.
The Brazilian switched from the No.11 to the No.10 for the 2023/24 season and has worn the special number ever since.
However, the 10 is already taken by Emiliano Buendia, who has worn the number since 2021. Upon recovering from a major knee injury, Buendia spent the second half of last season at Bayer Leverkusen on loan after struggling for minutes under Emery.
He has since returned and impressed Emery during Villa’s pre-season games. But he failed to feature in their opening Premier League fixture against Newcastle United.
Meanwhile, Buendia was subbed in for Boubacar Kamara, who came off injured during their defeat at Brentford. But he was taken off in the 75th minute by Emery after a disappointing performance.
With there still a possibility that Buendia will leave Villa this summer, it is feasible that Paqueta will be brought in as his replacement and take up the 10.
Lucas Paqueta could cost Aston Villa £70million in wages
Paqueta is not expected to come cheap for Villa – and that’s on wages alone.
According to Capology on 25 August, Paqueta earns £150,000 weekly and is expected to earn £15.6million from now until the end of his contract, which runs out on 30 June 2027.
If the Villans sign him on a five-year deal on a salary similar to what he’s already earning, Paqueta could earn £78m if he completes his contract.
How do Lucas Paqueta and Emiliano Buendia compare?
Injuries and poor form have seen Buendia become a rotational option at Villa. However, a close look at his league performances indicates that Emery should give him a chance.
For Leverkusen last season, the attacking midfielder created 2.13 chances per 90 in the Bundesliga while having a 66.7 per cent long ball accuracy. Meanwhile, Paqueta in the Premier League created 1.36 chances while recording 64.4 per cent long ball accuracy.
| Emiliano Buendia | Statistics | Lucas Paqueta |
| 0.19 per 90 | Expected assists (xA) | 0.12 |
| 43.8 per 90 | Successful passes | 41.9 |
| 80.4% | Pass accuracy | 78.8% |
| 0.71 per 90 | Accurate long balls | 3.21 per 90 |
| 66.7% | Long ball accuracy | 64.4% |
| 2.13 per 90 | Chances created | 1.36 per 90 |
While the Brazilian had Villa’s man beat on accurate long balls, Buendia dominated him on expected assists.
As a result, a fit and determined Buendia could be the better option for Villa next season.
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