Aston Villa are exploring a late move to sign West Ham United midfielder Lucas Paqueta, journalist Santi Aouna has reported.
The Villans have reportedly identified the Brazil international as a potential target to replace Morgan Rogers, amid growing uncertainty over the 23-year-old’s future ahead of the transfer deadline.
As GIVEMESPORT previously reported, Rogers has no shortage of Premier League admirers with four days left in the market, with Tottenham, Arsenal and Chelsea among the sides showing interest.
While Villa are hopeful of pricing Rogers out of a departure by raising their £80m demands, they appear to be preparing for every scenario, with Paqueta eyed as his potential successor.
West Ham are believed to have placed a £60m asking price on the Brazilian midfielder, who is under a £150,000-a-week contract until June 2027.
Aston Villa Eyeing Lucas Paqueta
Lucas Paqueta in action for West Ham United
According to Aouna, Aston Villa have contacted West Ham over potential deal conditions to sign Paqueta, having identified him as one of the options to replace Rogers.
Paqueta is believed to be considering his options ahead of the transfer deadline, with GIVEMESPORT senior correspondent Fabrizio Romano previously revealing the Brazilian is keen on a new challenge away from the London Stadium.
While no final decision has been made over his future at West Ham, Paqueta is exploring a potential exit, with Tottenham also among his admirers.
Paqueta was also wanted by Manchester City two seasons ago, before being charged with spot-fixing by the FA in May 2024, after he was accused of deliberately receiving four yellow cards in Premier League matches between November 2022 and August 2023.
The Brazilian, who faced the prospect of a lifetime ban if found guilty, was cleared of the charges by an independent regulatory commission in July.
Paqueta joined West Ham in the summer of 2022 from Lyon and has made 123 appearances for the club to date, scoring 20 goals and providing 14 assists.
He scored twice in the first three games of the 2025/26 season but was unable to help West Ham secure their first win, with two heavy losses in the Premier League and a second-round exit to Wolves in the EFL Cup.
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