Lucas Paqueta is set for a West Ham United medical today as he closes in on completing a big-money move from Lyon to East London.
The Hammers have started the season with three straight defeats, losing to Manchester City, Nottingham Forest and Brighton and Hove Albion.
David Moyes is desperate to get his side back on track and is attempting to make a number of late signings to bolster his squad.
Emerson Palmieri is in, and it looks like he will have one of his former teammates join him in Paqueta, having played together at Lyon earlier this year.
Lucas Paqueta is set for a West Ham United medical
Moyes confirmed a matter of days ago that a bid had gone in for Paqueta, but Lyon stood firm and rejected West Ham’s first offer.
There were reports suggesting that Tottenham Hotspur were looking at Paqueta’s situation with Fabio Paratici very interested in the Brazilian.
That may have left West Ham worried, but a £48million deal was rumoured to be close on Thursday.
Sky Sports reporter Dharmesh Sheth has now given West Ham fans exactly what they wanted to hear.
Sheth reports that Paqueta is undergoing his medical today (Sunday) having flown into the UK on Saturday night.
Sheth adds that the deal will see West Ham pay €43million (£36.5million) up front for Paqueta as well as €17million (£14.5million) in add-ons, meaning this deal could reach £51million.
That means Tottenham are now very unlikely to have chance to swoop in and sign Paqueta and West Ham should have their man secured.
Paqueta, who turned 25 on Saturday, hit nine league goals in each of his two full seasons with Lyon having joined from AC Milan back in 2020.
The Brazilian playmaker can play as a number 10, playmaking midfielder or even as a false nine, giving West Ham major versatility.
Perceivably ‘bigger’ clubs have targeted Paqueta but it’s West Ham who appear to have won the race in an exciting coup for Moyes and co.
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