Crystal Palace and Tottenham Hotspur will reportedly compete with Manchester City to sign 27-year-old Brazilian international Lucas Paqueta from West Ham United.
According to a report by Caught Offside, Crystal Palace and Tottenham Hotspur are interested in Lucas Paqueta. The two London clubs are keen on signing a versatile playmaker in the summer transfer window and have set their sights on the West Ham United attacker. The 27-year-old is also a target for Manchester City, with the East London outfit demanding £30-40 million to part ways with him.
Lucas Paqueta and his situation
Lucas Paqueta has endured a topsy-turvy ride since joining West Ham United from Lyon in a deal worth around £51 million in August 2022. While the 27-year-old has been a game-changer for the East London outfit in his best moments, a spot-fixing scandal from two years ago has rocked his spell in the Premier League. Fortunately for Paqueta, the controversy has ended, and he has received a clean chit.
The Brazilian international has turned out 121 times thus far for West Ham United while chipping in with 18 goals and 14 assists. However, Paqueta faces an uncertain future at the London Stadium, with several well-known clubs keen on signing him. Crystal Palace, Manchester City, and Tottenham Hotspur are among the prospective suitors vying for his signature in the summer transfer window.
A man in demand
Crystal Palace will dip into the market for a playmaker amid uncertainties surrounding Eberechi Eze’s long-term future. The English international is on the verge of joining Tottenham Hotspur, and the deal will materialise after the Eagles sign a replacement. So, Paqueta has emerged as a viable target for Crystal Palace, with West Ham’s asking price of £30-40 million making him an appealing option.
Meanwhile, Manchester City’s interest in Lucas Paqueta is understandable, even though the Citizens have bolstered their midfield and offensive unit with creative players in the summer transfer window. Pep Guardiola wants more firepower in the final third, and Paqueta is an option worth considering for Manchester City.
As for Tottenham Hotspur, it is unclear if the Lilywhites need another playmaker after striking an agreement to sign Eze from Crystal Palace. Nevertheless, Paqueta is an appealing target after James Maddison sustained a long-term knee injury. Meanwhile, as iterated earlier, West Ham will demand around £30-40 million to part ways with the former AC Milan playmaker.
However, while the report suggests West Ham’s asking price is around £30-40 million, Karren Brady recently insisted that the East London outfit wanted to keep the 27-year-old Brazilian international at the London Stadium beyond the summer transfer window. So, it will be interesting to see if Crystal Palace, Manchester City, or Tottenham can land Paqueta.