Sources have confirmed that Newcastle United was one of several Premier League clubs that made contact regarding Como midfielder Lucas Da Cunha before his international breakthrough for France. The other clubs included Chelsea, Manchester United, Aston Villa, and Brighton. Interest in the 25-year-old also came from Serie A, where he was being monitored by Atalanta, Napoli, and Roma. Da Cunha was persuaded to remain with his club and subsequently signed a new five-year contract.