West Ham could face a late transfer raid if the club complete a dramatic triple swoop.
The past 24 hours have centred on Mateus Fernandes and Soungoutou Magassa, and with both deals reportedly secured, attention has now turned to Feyenoord captain Quinten Timber. The Dutch midfielder would add a much-needed goalscoring threat to the team should West Ham manage to get the deal over the line.
Timber’s arrival could spark a Hammers exit
Transfer twist to follow arrival
However, any such arrival could spell the end of Lucas Paquetá’s time in East London. Yesterday, reports emerged suggesting interest from Aston Villa in the Brazilian playmaker. Initially, the story was dismissed, as it came from the same outlet that had incorrectly claimed Magassa was heading to Frankfurt. Yet as the evening progressed, more sources began to back the rumours, with Claret & Hugh’s own insider suggesting Paquetá’s future is 50/50.
Lucas Paqueta is wanted by Aston Villa
As reported earlier this week, speculation linking him with Tottenham stemmed from a failed swap deal involving Yves Bissouma two weeks ago. Still, it’s hard to believe West Ham would bring in three new central midfielders without being forced to cash in on their record signing.
If Paqueta wants the move, then yes, provided it adds up to around £50m+ value. After the saga of the charges, a fresh start for all might be the best thing for all.
Also, what we most need is box-to-box energy and real physicality. The lack of this hurts us both defensively and in attack. And we need a more even spread of talent, rather on relying on a couple of players, one of whom is Paqueta, to make all the difference.
Birmingham is a world away from life in London. Paqueta might enjoy Torquay or Barcelona a little bit more.
He is more likely to remain at West Ham rather than allowing himself to be auctioned to a high bidder.
West Ham keeping Paqueta is like a bankrupt salesman keeping his temperamental Ferrari. We can’t afford to run it properly and it’s not equipped for the struggles ahead. Sell it up and use the money to try and get ourselves out of this mess….
Keep him.
With some inspired pace being brought in it could be just what he needs.
A good season could see value increase, is it a gamble?
Stated that he wants to be at west ham which is a good sign.
Elliott has already agreed a move so not available (doesn’t mean he couldn’t change his mind).
Dju looks good, Mwanga has pace and versatility but Timber might be to pricey for whu.
Agree it’s what we are all expecting, Paquetá is a great player though not irreplaceable because he is inconsistent in reaching his level, it was the same when he was at Lyon. If we can have players that are more consistent and very good it could dramatically improve our results. When Rice was in midfield it covered the inconsistency a lot and because of the way Rice played it created spaces for him to exploit, Soucek, Rodriguez and JWP are relatively static.
I like Paqueta a lot and ideally would keep him but if we can buy 3 or 4 young players with the money then would take that in a heartbeat. If he goes will wish him well he was a big part of us winning in Europe and will have legend status because of that.
1 step forward 2 steps back, with the new players in the door he’ll have quality and pace around him. We know what he’s capable of good and bad. But no let’s ship him out for peanuts and replace him with unknown potential.
Selling Paqueta would be a massive mistake.
He is usually the only spark in the team, some trickery and getting the ball moving forward, while playing in a terrible system and with a couple of awful players next to him.
He is a proven Brazil international, no top team would you sell him for a knockdown price and replace him with a cheap option
And you reckon a top profile player like Pacqueta’s sale negotiations would take place within a few hours before deadline?
Realistically that can only even be considered after 2/3 new midfielders medicals and signing taken place.
Or otherwise dumb WH management do the dumb thing again, and rush without thinking … the Ferguson/Hermanson cases in point ?
Lord, help us !
it’s been going on for weeks, Simon, as I think we have mentioned. WH and Spuds discussed part ex with Bissouma early august
I have a differing view; I think Paqueta has willngly carried the team many times, being the sole source of inventiveness and now he is also scoring goals and is obviously used to PL now, ready to make a real impact I think. I’d really like to see him included in the mix of midfield talent which might soon be at the club + Earthy and Potts (perhaps?). I know he gives the ball away sometimes, but he harries too, tackles and plays forward passes with great vision. With a competition for places and with solid, young, talented players around him, it will change everything for him and the team.
I’d sell him at end of season, in agreement with the player to a big club and a decent fee. This season he could regain his previous reputation and help us have a better season than current results predict, i.e. relegation fight.
I wouldn’t be too upset by Paqueta departing provided that a decent replacement came in. It has always been the case that for every brilliant thing he does there’s something woeful too.
I don’t want to loose Lucas. His still got a lot to offer. £60m will be like the Kudis transfer we are going to look back and regret. Paqueta head probably is down at the moment because he is playing with pure dross and managed by dross.
I have to be honest with myself and admit that Paqueta has largely been a flop of a signing. Deep down everyone likes the fella, but how he has maintained a reputation amongst the pundits is beyond me. He’s remembered for the of moment of talent but is ignored for the persistent consistent blunders that gift the opposition possession so cheaply in dangerous areas. If I were offered £50m for him I’d snap there hand off very quickly.
A classic blinkered opinion based on his Brazilian heritage and style rather than actually studying closely how his actions lead to consequences like most West Ham fans have to endure have led to this.
Since he’s joined us our midfield has struggled with pace and possession.
Agree with both of you.
Sell pac Man for 60 big ones, and get Elliot without buyback clauses for 50 big ones..
What would create a goalscoring opportunity is a decent striker, we seem to be obsessed with midfielders , Potts won’t get a look in,
Hope this is true, he’s cost us more goals than he’s scored and ain’t up for the fight when the going gets tough. Too busy play acting and rolling about on the floor
Totally agree, it’s about 1 part absolute world class pass or flick vs 20 parts lying on the floor holding his face while the other team are barrelling off with the ball to score. He has great vision, which was great with Rice & Soucek behind and Antonio up front, but we havent been able to afford that kind of luxury player on field for 2 years now.
Thought it was too good to be true that we were signing players at last. For me, Elliott would be the ideal Paqueta replacement but he is probably too expensive if we are back to balancing the books again.