West Ham are on the verge of having a brilliantly named midfield of Paqueta Rice as a new report claims a deal for the Brazilian star is close.
With one week left of the three-month transfer window West Ham have suddenly kicked into gear to try and make a star signings it seems.
Reports abound yesterday that West Ham are in talks to sign Brazilian playmaker Lucas Paqueta from Lyon (Sky Sports).
“West Ham have made a bid worth €40m (£33.75m) for Lyon midfielder Lucas Paqueta,” Sky Sports states.
“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 are continuing between the clubs.”
A report from L’Equipe overnight claimed the initial bid – which it claims was more like £40m – has been rejected by Lyon with West Ham and the Ligue 1 side they knocked out of last season’s Europa League around £8m apart in terms of the fee.
And there was encouraging news on the potential deal overnight after a ‘key West Ham insider’ claimed the club are confident of a compromise with Lyon.
West Ham have had one of the best midfield pairings in the Premier League over the last couple of years.
Not only in terms of performance and dynamics on the pitch but the name given to it as Declan Rice and Tomas Soucek became known as ‘Rice and Potato Salad’.
West Ham on verge of having brilliantly named midfield of Paqueta Rice as report claims deal for Brazilian star is close
That partnership has gone somewhat stale – by Moyes’ own admission of late.
Now West Ham are on the verge of having a new brilliantly named midfield of Paqueta Rice as a report claims a deal for the Brazilian star is close.
90min claims sources have told them West Ham are pushing to agree a deal worth in excess of €50m (£42m) including bonuses for Lucas Paqueta, having seen an initial bid of €40m (£33m) turned down by Lyon.
“The Hammers have not been deterred by their initial offer being refused, and it’s now believed that a deal worth in excess of €50m is close to being agreed,” 90min reports.
“Sources close to the player have told 90min they are ‘confident’ that a deal is nearing, with head of recruitment Bruno Cheyrou previously admitting that offers would be considered on a ‘case-by-case’ basis and that Lyon needed to reduce the size of their squad.”
Many sceptical Hammers fans have serious doubts over this one. So this is very encouraging news indeed.
But let’s see what transpires.
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