Juventus prepare summer ‘assault’ for West Ham United ace Lucas Paqueta
Just months after joining West Ham from Lyon, Lucas Paqueta has been linked with a move to Juventus – as per Calcio Mercato Web.
Paqueta joined West Ham for a club-record £51million in the summer [Sky Sports], but already the Hammers are having to fend off interest from European giants.
Paqueta has played a big part in Brazil’s World Cup campaign in Qatar and recently netted in his nation’s 4-1 win over South Korea in the round of 16.
It seems as though his World Cup performances have reignited interest from Juventus, who are keen to bring Paqueta back to the Serie A according to Calcio Mercato Web.
The report reads: “Juventus, who have already followed the player in the last transfer market sessions, could thus return to the assault from next summer.”
It adds that Juve would need to sell players first in order to sign Paqueta with “several goodbyes will be needed in midfield”.
USA’s Weston McKennie and Argentina’s Leandro Paredes are named as two players who could be sold to fund a move for Paqueta.
Stay away
West Ham must do whatever it takes to keep Paqueta at the London Stadium. The Brazilian took his time to settle in following his big-money move, but he’s now showing just how much talent he has with Brazil.
David Moyes’ task is to find a way to unlock similar levels of performances from Paqueta in claret and blue.
Interestingly, Paqueta has been playing in a deeper midfield position for Brazil, with manager Tete playing him in a partnership alongside Casemiro.
That could very easily be replicated in east London if Moyes plays Paqueta alongside Declan Rice in a midfield duo, which frees up either Manuel Lanzini or Pablo Fornals to play slightly further forward.
Regardless of where Paqueta plays though, he remains one of the most technically gifted players in the Hammers squad and adds bucketloads of quality when on the pitch.
Goals have been hard to come by for West Ham this season, but if Paqueta can keep up his current form when he returns to the Premier League then it shouldn’t be an issue for much longer.