West Ham United transfer news as Lucas Paqueta ready to push to quit
West Ham United midfielder Lucas Paqueta is now ready to push for his exit from the London Stadium amid interest from Manchester City, according to Ben Jacobs.
The sports broadcaster reported on his personal Twitter account (9 August) that the Brazilian midfielder wants to complete the move to the Etihad Stadium as Pep Guardiola’s side are intent on securing his services this summer.
West Ham doesn’t want to lose the 25-year-old with the Hammers hoping to add to their squad between now and the end of the transfer window rather than sell more key players, especially having already sold Declan Rice to Arsenal and Gianluca Scamacca to Atalanta already this summer.
Explaining the state of the deal, Jacobs tweeted: “Manchester City are intent on signing Lucas Paqueta, as per reports in Brazil.
“Paqueta wants the move. West Ham really don’t want to sell, but Paqueta is prepared to push to leave.”
Can’t afford to lose
This summer transfer window has already been one of immense turmoil at the London Stadium, with high-profile outgoings partnered by an inability of the Irons to get new signings through the door. Losing Paqueta would be the final nail in the coffin of a disastrous summer.
The Brazilian is one of the most important players in David Moyes’ ranks and his signing last season signalled the Hammers’ intent to move up in standing in the Premier League as they signed one of the most creative players in Europe.
While a big transfer fee would make the deal more acceptable for West Ham, money isn’t an issue at the London Stadium currently so there is no desperate need to sell, unless Paqueta does intend on forcing the move through.
Moyes had only just managed to ship one unhappy player out of his ranks in Scamacca and won’t want another to be an issue immediately after, so his hand may well be forced. But if that is the case the Irons are going to have to get incredibly busy, very quickly during this transfer window, or it could be a long and worrying season in East London.
In other West Ham news, one target this summer will only accept a top club after talks with the Irons slowed