George Overhill

Wed 24 August 2022 13:47, UK

West Ham have put in a massive €40million bid for Lyon’s Lucas Paqueta and his agents are in London for talks, Dharmesh Sheth reports.

The Brazilian star’s representatives are thought to be looking to get a deal done for him to move to the Premier League with any interested party, and the Hammers have now thrown their hat firmly into the ring.

The 24-year-old attacking midfielder plays in a similar position to fellow target Hans Vanaken, who the Irons have now failed with two bids for, and is far more expensive, but also significantly younger.

Sky Sports journalist Sheth wrote on Twitter on Wednesday afternoon (24 August): “West Ham United have made a bid worth €40m for Lyon midfielder Lucas Paqueta.

“The player’s agents are in London and want to conclude a deal with a Premier League club before the end of the window.

“Talks continuing between the clubs.”

Big splash

David Moyes wants further help in attacking areas and it looked like Belgian international Vanaken was going to be the main target to provide it before the window closes.

But with relatively cheap bids going in for the 30-year-old there must be some reticence as to whether he can adequately adapt to the Premier League.

Conversely, there looks to be no such concern here as Paqueta already has experience in two of the top five European leagues, after two seasons at AC Milan in Serie A, followed by two more in Ligue 1 with Lyon.

This would be a major move so late in the window if the club can pull it off, with the likes of Newcastle and Tottenham also linked to him.

With 18 league goals and 11 league assists over the past two seasons it looks like the sort of move that could really add some much-needed spark to the side after a miserable start to the season.

Clearly the Hammers aren’t going to head towards the deadline quietly, and a move looks to be imminent for the player to arrive in England somewhere, so the London Stadium now appears to be a strong possibility.