Lyon want an extra £8.5million as West Ham United enter advanced talks for Lucas Paqueta
Lyon have demanded West Ham United pay an additional £8.5million for Lucas Paqueta as the Irons enter advanced talks with the Lyon midfielder according to L’Equipe.
The Daily Mail reported on 24 August that the Hammers have tabled a £33.7million bid for the 24-year-old Brazilian international.
It’s also understood that talks are currently ongoing in London as David Moyes looks to add to his attacking midfield options.
However, French news outlet L’Equipe revealed on Tuesday evening (24 August) that the Ligue 1 side are demanding an additional £8.5million from the Irons for the Brazilian’s services.
Sign him up
That is a lot of money but ultimately, Paqueta is a goalscoring midfielder in the prime of his career who is highly rated across Europe.
Players such as the 24-year-old will cost a premium.
Moyes is after a midfielder who can add goals to his side and with eleven goals for Lyon from attacking midfield, the Brazilian looks like the ideal player to resolve those issues.
If West Ham do land Paqueta then a move for Club Brugge midfielder Hans Vanaken surely becomes very unlikely.
The Hammers forking out nearly £35million for Paqueta demonstrates how Moyes has been back this summer and also highlights their poor start even more.
West Ham’s start to the Premier League campaign has been extremely underwhelming and with the influx of new additions at the London Stadium, Moyes will have nowhere to hide if results don’t turn.
This weekend’s trip to Aston Villa represents West Ham’s best chance of getting off the mark with Steven Gerrard’s side in indifferent form.