According to 90min, Paris Saint-Germain’s interest in Lucas Paqueta is intensifying, and West Ham United may have to struggle to keep him at the London Stadium this summer. The UEFA Europa Conference League team of the campaign selected the 25-year-old after he helped snap West Ham’s 43-year streak without a big victory in early June.
Paqueta signed a club-record deal with West Ham in the summer of 2022. The Brazilian assisted to Jarrod Bowen’s game-winning goal against Fiorentina in injury time, sparking wild celebrations in Prague as the Hammers won 2-1. Paqueta was West Ham’s record signing last summer, moving to the club from Lyon in a £50 million deal with additional add-ons after breaking through during the 2022–23 season.
He has since become a huge fan favorite. Declan Rice has been identified as Arsenal’s top summer transfer target, with Lucas Paqueta said to be open to a move this transfer window. The England international has turned down multiple new contract offers that would have made him the highest-paid player at the London Stadium, and West Ham have privately acknowledged that this summer is their final chance to sign him for a large money.
The Brazilian took some time to acclimate to the speed of the Premier League, but he put in a number of spectacular performances in the second half of the season, playing a vital part as West Ham not only avoided relegation but also crushed to surprising European glory.
West Ham’s Several Concerns With Lucas Paqueta
As a consequence, West Ham will participate in the Europa League next season, despite the fact that Declan Rice’s public chase by Arsenal and Manchester City disrupted their preseason plans. The 24-year-old is anticipated to leave London Stadium this summer to pursue his professional goals, but despite several offers, the club’s £100 million asking price has not yet been fulfilled.
And if PSG, a powerhouse in Ligue 1, decides to pursue Paqueta, West Ham may have yet another issue on their hands. The former Champions League finalists are monitoring his position, according to sources who spoke to 90min, as they are aware that the player just switched representations. West Ham fared poorly in the Premier League last season, losing 20 of their 38 games to finish 14th, and Paqueta wasn’t too impressed.
Paqueta’s camp is also unsure whether David Moyes’ approach fits his game and plays to his strengths; the Scot frequently instructs his defense to stay deep and withstand pressure before trying to strike rival teams on the break. Paqueta’s switch in representation raises questions about whether he is pondering his long-term future in east London, even though it doesn’t necessarily indicate a desire to quit the club.
Prior to joining West Ham, he was a target for Arsenal and Newcastle. He still starts regularly for the Brazil national team. West Ham are unlikely to accept any proposals for Paqueta, since their priority is to replace Rice in the center of midfield. Fulham’s Joao Palhinha and Manchester City’s Kalvin Phillips are both on the club’s radar, while former Chelsea loanee Denis Zakaria and Everton’s Amadou Onana are also on the club’s radar.
