West Ham have encountered a potential threat in the race to sign Lucas Paqueta ahead of the fast-approaching summer transfer window deadline. The 25-year-old midfielder has been heavily linked with a move to the Premier League in recent years, with Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur said to have once registered an interest of their own.
On Sunday, Lyon president Jean-Michel Aulas confirmed that Paqueta would be leaving the French giants, naming the Hammers as the leading contender for the Brazil international's signature. However, with David Moyes' side nearing a deal, the Lyon president announced that another Premier League side have stepped forward in the eleventh hour to rival the east Londoners.
Speaking to Canal, as quoted by beinSPORTS, Aulas said: "It's unfortunate that Lucas Paqueta is leaving. But he wanted to leave. We thought we had very big clubs, we didn't have them.
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"We had to discuss at the last moment with West Ham," the Lyon chief added. "Now I know there was an English club who wanted to come forward at the last moment so maybe tomorrow morning we will wake up with something new. I can't tell you the name."
The Premier League side who have entered the race to sign Paqueta is currently undisclosed, and beinSPORTS say it could be either Manchester United or Arsenal. football.london understands that the unnamed club could be either the Gunners or even north London rivals Spurs.
It's said that with Nicolas Pepe and Bryan Gil set to leave north London, respectively, so a late swoop for the £59.8million-rated star would make sense in the race for Champions League qualification this season.
In July, Arsenal technical director Edu admitted he liked Paqueta but the Gunners were not engaged in any talks. He told TNT Sports Brazil, as quoted by the Express: "I’m very respectful when I talk about Lucas.
"I’m a guy who likes him a lot, I’ve always liked him, since my time with Brazil’s national team. He’s had a great season; he was considered the best [overseas] player in the French league. But today, there really isn’t any kind of talk, there’s only my admiration for the player, because the squad today is, in the position he plays, I think we’re very well served in this regard."
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