West Ham United ‘preparing the terrain’ for ‘career-making’ Lucas Paqueta transfer
West Ham are “preparing the terrain” for Lucas Paqueta to leave the club this summer, according to journalist Tim Vickery.
Negotiations are continuing between the Hammers and Manchester City regarding a move for the 25-year-old, as per Sky Sports (16 August).
The publication noted that the East London club will only consider an offer in the region of £85million for the Brazil star.
“I can certainly see Lucas Paqueta leaving,” said Vickery, as quoted by Sky Sports. “With West Ham bringing in James Ward-Prowse and maybe looking to bring in Mohammed Kudus from Ajax, they would appear to be preparing the terrain.
“From the point of view of Paqueta, this could be the career-making move. He’s 26 later this month, he’s got over 40 caps for Brazil, and you don’t get 40 caps for Brazil as an attacking midfielder unless you can play a little bit. He isn’t blessed with pace so he is more a combination player.
“Going to Manchester City gives him far more combination to combine, far better players with whom to combine, and in a team with far more possession of the ball. This could really be the move that makes his career.”
Top talent
Paqueta certainly took his time to establish himself as a West Ham star following his move from Ligue 1 club Lyon last summer.
The Brazilian struggled on the pitch, as did his club, for many months, but both began to come alive towards the end of the season.
The midfielder was key as the Hammers secured their Premier League safety as well as lifted the Europa Conference League trophy.
It means fans will be devastated if he does exit for Manchester City this summer, particularly having already lost club captain and fellow midfield ace Declan Rice.
The only silver lining in the deals involving both Rice and Paqueta is, of course, the fees involved, with the former joining Arsenal for a mammoth £105million.
The latter meanwhile could be sold for £85million, with that money then able to be spent on a handful of new stars. The only issue, however, is that time is rapidly running out if West Ham do want to make such signings.
In other West Ham news, an international manager has shared a “disappointed” verdict about a “very good” Hammers player.