West Ham United's Lucas Paqueta. (REUTERS/Dylan Martinez)
Aston Villa are interested in signing West Ham midfielder Lucas Paqueta. The player has been linked with a move away from the club and has been linked to Tottenham in recent reports.
Sky Sports has now reported that Aston Villa have joined the race, and have shown interest in an initial loan deal for Paqueta with an obligation to buy him worth a total package of around £50m. Sky added that West Ham do not want to sell the Brazil international this window.
Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano reported that Paqueta is keen on the move, with Villa working on an agreement with West Ham. The player is understood to be open to a move away but not agitating for one.
Paqueta was embroiled in a spot fixing scandal last season, accused of deliberately getting booked in several Premier League games for betting purposes. He was eventually cleared of all charges, and the player expressed his gratitude to West Ham for their support during the saga.
Villa want Paqueta loan before deadline day
West Ham have endured a difficult start to the campaign, losing both their opening fixtures and conceding eight goals. The Hammers do not want to sell the midfielder but will not stand in the player’s way if their evaluation is met.
Paqueta is also admired by Tottenham and Everton, who are on the market for more midfield cover despite their recent additions of Xavi Simons and Tyler Dibling respectively. West Ham have recently added midfield cover of their own, in the shape of Southampton midfielder Mateus Fernandes in a £42m deal, and Soungoutou Magassa from Monaco.
The Hammers are also interested in Arsenal midfielder Fabio Vieira as they look to add several options to their squad. They have had to cope with the loss star winger Mohammed Kudus who joined Tottenham earlier this summer.
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