West Ham shouldn’t have issue with Lucas Paqueta personal terms as mega bid tabled
By Liam Thomas
West Ham are in the hunt to sign Lyon midfielder Lucas Paquetá who had been a long-term target of Newcastle United, according to Claret and Hugh.
The Hammers news side claims the club have launched an initial bid to sign the Brazil international from Lyon for a reported fee of £33.8million (€40m) with the Ligue 1 side pushing for £42.2million (€50m) plus £8.4m (€10m) add-ons.
It is understood that personal terms should be sorted out quickly with the Lyon star if a fee is agreed between the clubs.
Paquetá is highly-rated and has received big praise from football talent scout Jacek Kulig on his Twitter page.
Kulig announced to his account that boasts 212k followers that the 24-year-old midfielder is a “Pure joy to watch.” And has a “Left foot that could tie a tie.”
Magical metrics
The midfielder who can play as a 10, an eight, or a false nine will have Hammers fans salivating with some silky stats today.
Paquetá was the only player during the 2021/22 Ligue 1 season to register over 50 in the following metrics.
The Brazilian had a total of 87 shots and completed 81 take-ons as well as making 68 tackles; a wizard and a warrior [Squawka].
With West Ham currently sitting at rock bottom of the Premier League table, Paquetá can provide the fighting spirit needed to challenge the top teams.
The 24-year-old also provided 18 goal contributions for Lyon last season; promising and needed numbers considering that West Ham have failed to score this season.
On top of that, West Ham looks set to profit from securing Paquetá’s signature this summer.
The maestro will almost certainly feature for Brazil this winter at the 2022 World Cup, a solid showing there would have only inflated his price tag.
Fans may end up thankful for the team’s sluggish start to the season; it seems to have prompted the Hammers into transfer action.
Paquetá will join Emerson Palmieri in the London club’s ranks after he made the switch from Chelsea this week.