Aston Villa have approached West Ham United to buy Lucas Paqueta, but he is expected to stay, GIVEMESPORT understands.
Paqueta made the move to West Ham back in 2022, joining the London club from Lyon in a club-record deal at the time. The Brazilian international joined under David Moyes during the summer transfer window, signing a five-year deal with the Hammers.
Since then, Paqueta has made 123 appearances for West Ham, providing 34 goals and assists combined. Speculation has surrounded his future over the summer transfer window, but with the Hammers enduring a difficult start to the 2025/2026 campaign, they won't want to lose any of their key players with such little time remaining before Monday's deadline.
West Ham Don't Want to Sell Lucas Paqueta
Lucas Paqueta in action for West Ham United
Talks have centred on a loan with obligation package approaching £50m, GMS understands.
West Ham don't wish to sell and value Paqueta at over £60m. The Brazilian midfielder is open to a switch to Villa Park, but owner David Sullivan is likely to block any sale.
Paqueta is available for selection for West Ham's trip to Nottingham Forest, but manager Graham Potter will take the final call as to whether to select him.
Potter is understood to have made it clear to West Ham's hierarchy that he doesn't want Paqueta to depart, especially following the £55m sale of Mohammed Kudus to Tottenham earlier in the window.
Tottenham also held an interest in Paqueta but are not expected to advance anything now that Xavi Simons has arrived from Leipzig in a deal worth £51m.
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