Lucas Paqueta surely nears West Ham United exit as Jota Silva update emerges
Lucas Paqueta has been regularly linked with a move away from West Ham, and the most recent update on one of the club’s transfer targets may have just sealed his future.
Manchester City are said to be one of the biggest admirers of the Brazilian, having targeted him in previous seasons but were put off by the betting controversy surrounding the player.
Despite this, The Athletic’s Thomas Roshane [1 May] reported that Paqueta’s move to Man City “seems inevitable” with an £85million release clause set to become active this summer.
In addition to this, the latest update on Vitoria de Guimaraes’ Jota Silva suggests that the current Hammers star could be edging ever closer to a London Stadium exit.
According to O Jogo [8 May], the Irons are willing to move forward with the signing of the 24-year-old winger, with the player said to have a £20million release clause in his current contract.
While Silva is naturally a centre-forward, he has been scintillating on the flank this season, notching 15 goals and seven assists in all competitions, mirroring Jarrod Bowen’s position change.
Could West Ham United sign Jota Silva as Lucas Paqueta replacement?
Of course, Paqueta would leave the Hammers with ginormous boots to fill after becoming one of the most key players in David Moyes’ squad since arriving in the summer of 2022.
However, with Moyes set to part ways with the club at the end of the season, and Julen Lopetegui taking over, West Ham could be in for a major rebuild this summer.
The Brazilian would be a huge miss, but if Man City are willing to pay £85million, it would be difficult for the club to turn down money like that.
Replacing him for just £20million could be a very smart move from Tim Steidten, especially when it comes to a player who has been lighting up Liga Portugal with goals and assists.
In other West Ham news, Fabrizio Romano has dropped a new update over Mohammed Kudus’ future amid exit links.
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