By Hughie Southon
West Ham’s record signing Lucas Paqueta has joined Declan Rice as a major Arsenal target with Gunners boss Mikel Arteta now making concrete plans for next season.
And that would be a dream come true for the Brazilian who was keen on a move to North London before agent Barry Silkman was called in by the Hammers board to complete a deal which saw him join the Hammers.
Lucas Paqueta: Remains a transfer target for Arsenal
Paqueta had been on Arteta’s agenda but the club failed to follow through thus allowing the Hammers to swoop for the midfielder.
Now, with the Hammers employed a season long struggle at the lower end of the table, the Arsenal boss believes he may be able to woo the attacking midfielder away whether we are relegated or not.
Paqueta has failed to impress this season but it would be a savage blow to see both him and Declan Rice leave the club for the north Londoners.
However, there is little doubt that this could become a real possibility with the Gooners boss being a big admirer of Paquetá’s versatile playing style, which aligns perfectly with his tactical vision.
The Brazilian can comfortably fill in various midfield positions, potentially taking on roles currently held by Granit Xhaka and Martin Odegaard.
Paquetá’s experience in the Premier League, having scored two goals and provided three assists for West Ham United this season, also makes him an attractive prospect for Arsenal.
Please Please Please tell me this is true. ” massively over rated players. Souness is right about Rice. Backwards, sideways, can’t shoot. decent blocker and that is it. Rice hides behind their players when we have possession. Paqueta very good dynamic but can’t pass over 2 meters. Sell them and Soucek, get the money and RUN!!
Let’s hope instead that we get a new progressive manager who can employ him more effectively. I’m hearing more and more talk about Will Still at Reims where he’s working wonders.
Is he being watched by the board Hugh? Is it worth a punt?
My Dream move would be for Moyes to take a hike and stop ruining sound players.
For us then to climb the table and fulfil our potential with a progressive Manager.
We buy these players knowing/assuming they can take us to the next level.
It seems obvious that other clubs see this too, hence stories like this.
Some come through our academy but struggle to break through to the first team and head off for regular football. Though not all have hit the expected heights predicted for them, I’m resigned to the fact that we have and will lose some of the better prospects.
However, we buy matured talent and prospective talent as our scouts (I hope) have seen their ability.
Then consistently we play not to their strengths, but we play them out of position, or in formations that don’t take advantage of their skills.
Then we sell them.
Haller springs to mind, couldn’t hit a barn door from 5 meters in a West Ham shirt, looked miserable and dejected. We sell him and he starts scoring for fun playing in a system that suits his ability.
Really this boils down to the manager (and our luck with injuries). It’s not just been Moyse, but right now it is Moyse.
We have the ground, the investment, oh how good would it be to get the final piece of the West Ham puzzle.
Two talented players who could easily complement each other, if Moyes would keep it going to develop. That would require dropping Soucek. Ironic that at the end of the season we could lose both and probably others, but keep Moyes. Tragic.