One of Ligue 1's most talented players could be off to the Premier League this summer, and just like the Bruno Guimarães case, it isn't even one of England's big six that is set to acquire the aforementioned ace.
That man is none other than Lucas Paqueta, the highly-rated attacking midfielder who currently plies his trade at Lyon. The Brazilian has been linked with a Groupama Stadium exit due to the club's failure to qualify for the UEFA Champions League, with north London giants Arsenal and Tottenham initially thought to be his next possible destination.
Links with the Gunners were most concrete as the current technical director at the Emirates Stadium Edu Gaspar is said to be a huge fan of the Selecao ace. However, while Paqueta is garnering huge interest from London, it is not Mikel Arteta's side leading the chase.
According to Dharmesh Sheth of Sky Sports, the club currently making strides in their pursuit of the South American talent is none other than West Ham. In fact, the Hammers have already made an official bid, tabling an offer worth around €40M ($40M).
No agreement has been reached with Les Gones but talks are advancing between both parties while David Moyes' side look to wrap up personal terms with the 24-year-old as well.
The player's agent is said to be in the English capital in an attempt to wrap up this deal before the summer transfer window shuts next Thursday. If completed, this will be West Ham's eighth deal of the summer so far, following in the footsteps of Alphonse Areola, Nayef Aguerd, Thilo Kehrer, Emerson Palmieri, Gianluca Scamacca, and Maxwel Cornet.
West Ham United have made a bid worth €40m for Lyon midfielder Lucas Paqueta. 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 continuing between the clubs. #WHUFC #OlympiqueLyonnais
— Dharmesh Sheth (@skysports_sheth) August 24, 2022
The 25-year-old, who is an attacking midfielder that can also play as a central midfielder or out wide, contributed to 15 goals in 35 Ligue 1 appearances last season, scoring nine and assisting six. Additionally, Lucas is already an established member of Tite's Brazil side and would be a coup for the Hammers given their poor start to the Premier League season, having lost all of their opening three games.
