West Ham United can’t afford Lucas Paqueta exit as big-money transfer news emergs
West Ham United are eyeing a transfer swoop for Igor Jesus in a deal that could see Lucas Paqueta join Botafogo, according to The Sun.
The newspaper reported on its website on 2 November that the Irons are “eager” to add the Botafogo striker to their ranks as they look to strengthen their attack, with a £30million fee floated.
However, that could lead the door open for Paqueta heading in the other direction in a “shock swap deal”, despite the threat of a potential betting ban.
West Ham United ready Igor Jesus transfer at London Stadium
There is no doubt that West Ham needs a striker, considering all three of their frontmen – Michail Antonio, Danny Ings and Niklas Fullkrug – are in their 30s.
Antonio and Ings have scored two goals between them across all competitions this season, while Fullkrug has barely featured due to fitness issues.
This is one of the reasons why the Hammers find themselves sitting fourteenth in the Premier League table after 10 games and a move for Jesus would make sense.
While Jesus may not be the most exciting striker in the market, the 23-year-old has bagged eight goals and three assists in 22 games since joining Botafogo in July and was rewarded with a call-up to the Brazil squad in September.
However, it is hard to imagine the club would send Paqueta in the other direction regardless of the betting investigation.
It would be a huge blow to whoever is employing him if he received a lengthy suspension for his alleged breaching of betting rules.
Brazilian clubs are seemingly willing to take advantage of the situation as evidenced by Flamengo’s attempt to sign him in the summer (The Athletic).
West Ham, though, would not want to lose him for a cut-price deal.
In other West Ham news, Roshane Thomas has delivered his verdict on Lopetegui after the team’s defeat to Nottingham Forest.
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