Lucas Paqueta is pencilled in for a medical and will complete a move to West Ham United after the two clubs reached an agreement on Friday.
Fabrizio Romano’s tweet suggests that Lucas Paqueta is on the verge of joining West Ham United. The Brazilian playmaker is expected to arrive in England for medical tests and other formalities. An agreement was reached with Lyon on Friday over a £50 million fee, and the player remains keen to sign for the London side.
Lucas Paqueta is closing in on a £50 million move to West Ham United after prolonged negotiations between the London side and French giants Lyon, as per Goal. The Brazilian midfielder will soon be in England to complete his medical tests, among other formalities, before signs a contract with David Moyes’ side.
Paqueta had attracted plenty of interest from clubs in the Premier League, with Arsenal chief among those keen on the Brazilian playmaker. Arsenal director Edu Gaspar set his sights on the Lyon midfielder, but the finances involved may have been why they did not pursue a deal.
Manchester City had also been reportedly keeping tabs on his situation and could have made a move had they sold Bernardo Silva earlier in the window. There were also whispers about Newcastle United admiring the midfielder, as they may have considered reuniting him with former teammate Bruno Guimaraes.
Lucas Paquetá, expected to fly to England later today in order to undergo medical tests and completed his move to West Ham. It's the final step before done deal, as OL and West Ham have an agreement since Friday. ?????????? #WHUFC
AC Milan and Flamengo will receive part of the fee. pic.twitter.com/1h58UA3bv8
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) August 27, 2022
Despite the widespread interest, West Ham United took the mantle and made an initial offer earlier this week. Lyon rejected the proposal but continued talks with the Hammers to find a solution. David Moyes was keen on bringing the attacking midfielder to the club and pushed to sign him.
West Ham recently agreed on personal terms with Paqueta and hoped to find an agreement with Lyon on the final fees. They then made a second bid for Paqueta as talks advanced with Lyon. It seems West ham have found an agreement with the French giants over the financial aspect of the deal, and the Brazilian playmaker is all set to sign for the Hammers.
Fabrizio Romano claims Paqueta will arrive in England sometime around Saturday to complete his medical tests and other formalities. After the transfer is completed, former clubs AC Milan and Flamengo could receive part of the fees as part of a minor clause in the Brazilian’s previous contracts.
Paqueta had the choice to stay at Lyon and spearhead their new project. After deliberating during the summer, he decided against continuing at the club and expressed his desire to move on. Lyon sought a high transfer fee earlier in the window but have reportedly agreed for far less.
The exact figures of the West Ham transfer are still under wraps, but it could be close to £50 million. The Brazilian playmaker is an excellent acquisition for West Ham, instantly elevating their attacking quality.
Paqueta will join Gianluca Scamacca, Thilo Kehrer, Nayef Aguerd and Alphonse Areola as the club’s summer arrivals. Whether he could give them an instant boost to climb up the Premier League table remains to be seen, but the Brazilian international could be seen as a coup for Moyes.