According to multiple reports, West Ham have submitted a £34million bid for Lyon midfielder Lucas Paqueta.
The Brazilian has been on the shopping lists of many Premier League clubs during this transfer window, including Arsenal, Newcastle, Tottenham, and Manchester City. However, it is the Hammers who are pushing to get the deal over the line before the deadline. A bid of £34million has been submitted and with Paqueta’s representatives already in London, talks are expected to progress very soon.
Paqueta joined Lyon in 2020 from AC Milan for around £17million. In his second season in France, the playmaker was named ‘Best Foreign Player‘ in Ligue 1, an election supported by 20,000 voters. New Hammers signing Emerson Palmieri knows Paqueta very well after spending last season on loan in Lyon, another factor that could entice the Brazilian to east London.
The 25-year-old is also a regular face within his national team, Brazil. He is expected to be a part of the South American’s Qatar World Cup team, playing alongside Neymar Jr, Vinicius Jr, and Casemiro. He has scored six goals in 33 appearances for the former World Champions and is a trusted figure by manager Tite.
With Arsenal, Spurs, and Manchester City out of the race, and Newcastle stalling due to their recent bid on Alexander Isak, West Ham could have a clear run for Paqueta.