West Ham have announced the signing of Lucas Paqueta from French club Lyon for a club-record fee of £51million. He surpasses the east London club’s previous record signing Sebastien Haller, who left the London Stadium only 18 months after arriving from Eintracht Frankfurt.
Lucas Paqueta, 25, moved to Lyon in 2018 after a torrid two-year spell with AC Milan and quickly became a favourite at the Groupama Stadium. In 80 appearances for Lyon, he registered 21 goals and 14 assists while helping the club for the Champions League in his first season. The Brazilian playmaker was one of their better performers in an otherwise disappointing last campaign that saw Peter Bosz’s side finish eighth on the table.
After a disappointing start to the new season, West Ham have decided to splash north of £ 50 million for Paqueta, who becomes David Moyes’ eighth summer signing—after Nayef Aguerd, Gianluca Scamacca, Flynn Downes, Maxwel Cornet, Thilo Kehrer, Alphonse Areola and Emerson Palmieri. He is likely to be in the Hammers’ squad for the London derby against Tottenham Hotspur on Wednesday evening.
What will Lucas Paqueta bring to West Ham?
West Ham ended their hat-trick of defeats on Sunday with a narrow 1-0 win over Aston Villa, as Pablo Fornals’ deflected strike proved the difference at Villa Park. David Moyes would have heaved a huge sigh of relief after that result that lifted the Hammers up to 16th on the table.
The flurry of late signings should give Moyes’ side some much-needed lift and encouragement to maintain their position as a regular challenger for European qualification. Moyes was determined to add a top-quality central midfielder to his ranks and got that in the form of Lucas Paqueta.
Paqueta has been one of the best players in Ligue 1 over the last couple of years. The Brazilian international’s ability on the ball is exceptional, and he is someone who can help control play for West Ham with his passing range and provide a link between defence and attack.
Capable of progressing the ball from deeper areas in midfield, unlocking tight defences with his incisive passing and movement, and finishing off chances in front of goal with aplomb, the 25-year-old is a top addition to West Ham’s roster. Add his flair and different dance steps to go with every goal celebration, the Hammers faithful have got a true-blue entertainer.
Moyes and the fans hope Paqueta hits the ground running in the Premier League and helps West Ham challenge European places this season.
I am Rohan Sengupta from one of the busiest cities in India, Mumbai. A Journalism graduate with a keen interest in sports, football is something I simply cannot live without and writing, discussing and analyzing the game is what I do 24*7.
