Carlton Cole says West Ham United’s recruitment team have “worked hard” to pull off a club-record deal to sign Lyon playmaker Lucas Paqueta – with the Brazil international said to have joined the club for a whopping £51million.
Paqueta, 25, leaves Lyon after just two seasons with the Ligue 1 outfit. However, he sparkled in those two seasons, having a hand in 35 goals. The ex-Milan ace scored 21 goals for Lyon, and laid on 14 assists. He is a Brazil regular.
A player with enormous pedigree. One that was regarded as one of the best players in French football. It sees West Ham bring in their eighth summer signing, taking their spending to a figure in the region of £175million.
West Ham confirmed the arrival of Paqueta on Monday, with the midfielder penning a contract until June 2027. A real statement of intent from the Hammers, who secured their first Premier League win of the season on Sunday.
Cole: West Ham ‘worked hard’ to pull off Paqueta deal
It is probably the signing of West Ham’s summer. Reports earlier this month suggested that big-spending Newcastle, in-form Arsenal and Premier League champions Manchester City were all eyeing Paqueta. But he has joined West Ham.
It does ask the question, could someone leave with Paqueta joining? Said Benrahma, Manuel Lanzini, Pablo Fornals and others are the club’s current options to play in the 10 role. Paqueta easily tops that list, in terms of quality.
Of course, it could be purely for more depth. It gives David Moyes stronger options out wide – with Benrahma and Fornals able to play there – or in the middle. Lanzini and Fornals are equally able to operate slightly deeper.
But it is a real coup for the Hammers and West Ham icon Cole gave his verdict. Reacting to the above Instagram post, the ex-Hammers striker underlined just how difficult a deal for Paqueta was to manage – praising the recruitment team.
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