West Ham United have improved Lucas Paqueta rejected by Lyon – Dharmesh Sheth
West Ham have had their improved bid for Lucas Paqueta rejected by Lyon who now want over €60million, according to Dharmesh Sheth.
After an initial €40million bid on Wednesday (24 August) went in and was also turned down for the Brazil international, the Hammers reacted quickly to offer a new package worth €57million on Thursday morning.
The club are pushing for the signing but have now seen that bid rebuffed as well, and face a decision on whether to meet the French side’s asking price or look elsewhere in the final week of the window.
Writing on Twitter on Thursday evening, Sky Sports reporter Sheth said: “Lyon reject improved offer from West Ham United for midfielder Lucas Paqueta.
“West Ham deciding whether to go back in or focus on other targets. I’m told Lyon want more than €60m.”
Big money
There will be a lot of people who feel that if the club want a player who was already going to cost €57million then they should push the boat out and match the asking price.
It is likely not quite that simple but it is going to be a frustrating one if this approach ends up joining the pile of ambitious transfers that the Irons have got themselves in contention for but ultimately failed with.
Despite a routine 3-0 win in Denmark against Viborg to complete the club’s qualification for the Europa Conference League group stage Thursday night, it has been a nightmare start to the Premier League season.
David Moyes has brought in Thilo Kehrer and Emerson Palmieri to address his concerns in defence and is now pressing to add more attacking firepower in the form of Paqueta and Hans Vanaken.
The offensive midfielders are proving to be much tougher nuts to crack, on the club side at least, with both players apparently wanting moves.
It is a risk to pay over what they were willing to spend, but finishing empty handed will be another psychological blow to an oddly beaten down squad.
Paqueta has a slight feel of a big-money panic buy so perhaps this last bid being rejected is a blessing in disguise, but if he ends up elsewhere in the top flight and is a real hit it will be incredibly frustrating.
Whatever happens next, fans will certainly be hoping that least one of the two targets the manager has admitted bidding for does arrive.