West Ham United want Lucas Paqueta and boss David Moyes has admitted that a bid has now been submitted for the Lyon playmaker.
The Hammers are likely to be busy in the final days of the transfer window and have secured the signing of Chelsea left back Emerson this week.
David Moyes in the market for a number of other signings though and there have been strong links to the likes of Hans Vanaken and Conor Gallagher.
Both are forward-thinking midfielders and West Ham have now gone in for another player who fits that bill in Lyon star Lucas Paqueta.
West Ham United want Lucas Paqueta
Reports from Sky Sports earlier today suggested that West Ham had launched a £33.75million bid for Lyon ace Paqueta.
It’s noted that Paqueta’s agents are in London to try and thrash out a move to a Premier League club.
L’Equipe report that the deal could have risen to around €50million (£42.5million), but Lyon have rejected the offer.
If West Ham fans were in any doubt about the validity of these reports, Hammers boss Moyes has confirmed the bid.
Moyes has told BBC Sport that an offer has been made for Paqueta, suggesting that the Brazilian’s pedigree is ‘really good’.
Moyes also noted Paqueta’s versatility, noting that he can be utilised in various roles in midfield and attack.
“We have bid for him,” said Moyes. “He can play as a number 10, an eight, he plays as a false nine for Brazil quite often. I think his pedigree is really good.”
“Pedigree doesn’t always guarantee that it works, but you would hope that it helps towards him possibly getting better,” he added.
It’s actually quite refreshing to hear a manager speak so openly about a transfer – we’re far more used to cloak and dagger comments about potential signings.
Moyes will now hope to succeed where Newcastle United have struggled, with reports in Brazil suggesting that the Magpies have struggled to financially put together a deal for Paqueta.
Newcastle are now spending big money on Alexander Isak, which may rule them out of the race for Paqueta – and could leave West Ham at the front of the queue.
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