In light of transfer involving Manchester City and Newcastle United, West Ham holds ‘plot’ negotiations with a £70 million star

To deter transfer interest from their Premier League rivals, West Ham is preparing to extend a contract to one of their important players.

According to reports, West Ham intends to extend Lucas Paqueta’s contract in an effort to ward off interest from other clubs in the Brazilian. Paqueta is among the highest-paid players at the club, and his contract is set to expire in 2027. However, TeamTalk reports that the Hammers are preparing a new contract to maintain hold of their talisman past the forthcoming January and summer transfer windows.

The Brazilian’s summer transfer to Manchester City, which was reportedly going to cost approximately £70 million, fell through, and he ended up staying at the London Stadium. Despite choosing to sign Matheus Nunes from Wolves rather than Paqueta, the Citizens have been extensively linked with a move for the former Lyon player whenever the transfer market reopens.

Meanwhile, Newcastle United has reportedly had an interest in the 26-year-old ever since Bruno Guimaraes joined the team. When they were both playing for Lyon, Guimaraes and Paqueta became friends, and after leaving Lyon, Newcastle was thought to be his most likely destination, especially after photos of the two playing soccer surfaced, with Paqueta sporting a Newcastle United jersey.

Rather, the Hammers raced to recruit him, and Paqueta has had a prosperous stint in London, helping the club win the UEFA Europa Conference League last season. Paqueta will reportedly earn around £200,000 per week if he inks a new contract with the Hammers, a huge raise from his present salary.

The Hammers are hesitant to allow Paqueta leave the team after selling Declan Rice to Arsenal in the summer.