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Newcastle United 'willing' to table £51million+ January offer for West Ham United star Lucas Paqueta
Newcastle United are willing to table an offer in excess of £51million for West Ham United midfielder Lucas Paqueta, according to Fichajes.net.
The Spanish website reported (16 September) that the Magpies would be “willing” to sign the Brazilian in their bid to secure “already proven” European-level players.
West Ham bought Paqueta from Lyon for £51million last summer and has since been on the radar of Manchester City, as Sky Sports reported (23 August) that an £80million deal had been agreed in principle.
Not likely
West Ham pushed City to agree to an £80million deal for Paqueta, so it feels rather unlikely that the Hammers will let a key midfield player depart for the same price they bought him for.
The 26-year-old ended his debut Hammers season in spectacular fashion with the Europa Conference League victory in Prague, but his bubble burst late in the transfer window due to an FA investigation into alleged breaches of betting rules.
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With his move to Pep Guardiola’s side off the table, he has remained committed to the Hammers with a good start to the season, opening his goal account with a late penalty in their 3-1 home victory against Chelsea.
Reportedly, the Magpies are now eyeing up the Brazilian. With Champions League nights beckoning the Geordies for the first time in two decades, Eddie Howe will understandably want significant upgrades if they want to go toe-to-toe with Europe’s elite.
A tough Champions League group could end their fairytale quickly, having to negotiate Paris Saint-Germain, Dortmund and AC Milan. While travelling fans will look forward to away days to the San Siro and the Signal Iduna Park, that could be the extent of their international escapades after finding themselves in the so-called group of death.
But West Ham are not going to let Paqueta leave for £51million. The report claims Newcastle are willing to “table more than” this price, but it will have to be significantly more than this. £80million seems to be the benchmark for any deal for the Brazilian, who has entered the prime of his career.
Howe’s side certainly has the funds to meet that asking price, but the Hammers are well within their rights to demand even double the reported fee to depart with their midfield star halfway through a crucial season.
In other West Ham news, David Moyes has shared how Wayne Rooney impacted his feelings on a Hammers summer departure.