Chris Sutton shares Lucas Paqueta verdict amid latest West Ham United exit

Chris Sutton has labelled Lucas Paqueta as a "superb playmaker" as the West Ham star has been linked with a move away from the London Stadium.

On the page 11 pull-out in the Daily Mail's print edition on 11 August, the Sky Sports pundit said the Brazilian international knows what the Premier League is "all about now" after completing his first season in England.

He added that the 25-year-old is a "superb playmaker" and that is why Manchester City are interested in signing him, with Sutton expecting "even better performances" from the midfielder this season.

High praise

That is high praise from Sutton, but he is right to highlight Paqueta as the Hammers' key player at the moment in time following the departure of Declan Rice to Arsenal.

Although the Brazilian had a slow start to his time at the London Stadium – largely down to the team’s poor performances – he grew into it as the season went on and played a crucial role in the club lifting the Europa Conference League following the victory over Fiorentina.

The midfielder scored five goals and laid on seven assists in 41 games for the Irons during the last campaign and he will be hoping to improve upon those figures this year.

But it's so far unknown whether or not that will be in a claret and blue shirt as Man City look to continue with their pursuit of the playmaker.

Paqueta will be extremely difficult to replace if does decide to leave, but the money being talked about - with the Hammers looking for more than £85million - would provide a healthy boost to David Moyes's transfer budget.

In other West Ham news, one player is due to have his medical ahead of a move to the London Stadium.