Hammers hit Lyon with third Paqueta bid

Exclusive by Hughie Southon

West Ham have made a third bid for Lyon’s Lucas Paqueta.

And the club has told CandH exclusively they are expecting to hear later today whether it has been accepted by the French Ligue 1 club.

Hammers boss David Moyes has made the exciting midfielder a priority signing and we have been told that the club are doing everything in their power to make it happen.

Early reports that we had offered around £33.7 million for the 25 year old were denied by the Hammers who made it clear the offer was closer to £40 million.

They have since been back with a second bid in an attempt to get closer to the £50 million plus add ons wanted by Lyon and having seen that rejected have now made a third bid.

Should the offer be accepted it would take the Hammers spending this summer to around £200 million once agents’ fees are included.

We were told by a key source this morning: “We have gone back with third bid, we can’t go any further. We expect to hear today.”