West Ham United have reportedly agreed on personal terms with Lyon midfielder Lucas Paqueta, who is keen on moving to the Premier League this summer.

According to the reliable Fabrizio Romano, West Ham United have already agreed on personal terms with Lucas Paqueta in what is understood to be a major boost. The Hammers are pushing to sign the Brazilian playmaker from Lyon, with new direct calls initiated with Lyon to reach an agreement over transfer fees, with his agents currently in London.

After their initial bid worth €40 million was turned down for the 24-year-old Brazilian, West Ham upped the ante by bidding around €50 million but still suffered a similar fate, with Lyon president Jean-Michel Aulas playing hardball over the transfer fee.

However, West Ham have now returned to the table and offered a larger amount, reported to be in the region of €60 million including add-ons, with Paqueta and his representatives having already agreed personal terms with the Hammers over a five-year deal.

The player’s agents are currently in London on standby as they look to facilitate a transfer deal. And there is now increased optimism that the goal is very much achievable and an agreement is getting closer between West Ham and Lyon.

Paqueta has been a standout for Lyon, who are not short on cash following their recent takeover. So, it comes as no surprise that they are asking for an arm and a leg for the Brazilian playmaker, who still has three years left on his current deal. But with the player angling towards a move away from the Groupama Stadium, he has now agreed on terms with West Ham, which should push the deal towards completion.

The 24-year-old has been one of France’s best players over the past two seasons and has netted 21 times and provided 14 assists in 80 competitive appearances for Lyon since joining from AC Milan two years ago. Last season, Paqueta scored nine goals and contributed six assists in 35 Ligue 1 appearances.

David Moyes has made no secret of the fact that he is desperate for reinforcements in the middle of the park and some attacking impetus from that area, with Paqueta fitting the profile of a chief creator. And it seems Moyes is a big fan of the Brazilian playmaker and was quite open about his admiration while speaking before West Ham’s Europa Conference League qualifying game against Viborg.

Moyes said, “He can play as a number 10, an eight, and he plays as a false nine for Brazil quite often. I think his pedigree is really good. Pedigree doesn’t always guarantee that it works, but you would hope that it helps towards him possibly getting better.”

If West Ham can get a deal over the line for the Brazilian playmaker, it would be a huge coup for them. But this move also has the potential to take them to the next level towards pushing the English elites. Arsenal, Newcastle United, and Tottenham Hotspur have all expressed interest in acquiring Paqueta this summer, but West Ham now appear to have taken a commanding lead in the race to capture the Lyon star.

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