David Moyes speaks out on West Ham United exit saga over Lucas Paqueta
West Ham boss David Moyes has revealed that there is a price on the head of each of his players, as Manchester City continue to push for Lucas Paqueta.
Moyes has suggested that they have received news on Paqueta, but there is nothing as of yet that would be substantial enough to turn heads at West Ham, this comes after news that the club rejected a £70million bid for the Brazilian.
It was shown on Saturday 12 August that Moyes will aim to utilise Paqueta’s talents in his side, as he played the midfielder in a deeper role alongside Thomas Soucek against Bournemouth in the absence of a deeper-lying midfield player.
Speaking to media following the club’s 1-1 draw with Bournemouth, and reported by the Evening Standard, Moyes revealed: “There’s a price on everybody’s head. We have had news on Lucas, but not anything to make our heads wobble. Lucas Paqueta is an incredibly talented player.
“I’ve also got to keep good harmony in the football club and ensure things are done correctly.”
West Ham want a bid they can’t afford to refuse
As long as Manchester City stick around their current valuation of Paqueta, thought to be upwards of £70million, it looks unlikely that they will get their man. David Sullivan has shown a reluctance to sell [Sami Mokbel, 9 August], so it will take a huge fee to get this deal done.
West Ham aren’t exactly strapped for cash, having received a combined fee of around £130million for duo Declan Rice and Gianluca Scamacca, who joined Arsenal and Atalanta respectively, so there is no urgency on their part to do a deal.
Moyes displayed Paqueta’s importance in his squad when he deployed him in a deeper role today, showing his versatility and ability to play any role required of him, and the boss also put a lot of faith in his star man by trusting him to perform despite the noise.
Reports [talkSPORT, 12 August] have suggested that Manchester City will further their interest in the Brazilian following the injury to Kevin de Bruyne in their game against Burnley, so if they move quickly we may find out the price that is on Paqueta’s head.
This is one to watch very closely now.
In other West Ham news, the club are plotting a move for a Premier League striker after contact was made.