This is how much Aston Villa have been told to pay for Lucas Paqueta transfer
Unai Emery is hoping to see further reinforcements to his Aston Villa squad arrive in the final days of the transfer window.
Aston Villa are interested in a move for Lucas Paqueta, who is open to leaving West Ham before the deadline on Monday, 1 September.
The Brazilian could become the third senior signing to arrive at Villa Park this summer, with the Villans having struggled to cope with the profit and sustainability rules (PSR).
Jacob Ramsey was sold to Newcastle United in a deal worth £40million, however, which could allow for extra breathing room.
Villa signed Evann Guessand from OGC Nice for £27m, but are yet to further bolster their outfield options, with goalkeeper Marco Bizot their only other signing.
Aston Villa must break their transfer record to sign Lucas Paqueta
Ramsey’s sale represented pure profit in PSR terms for Villa, the midfielder having emerged through the academy.
But problems with the rules still exist for the Villans, who have vastly outspent the money they have received in recent years.
Morgan Rogers has been mentioned as a potential victim of Villa’s issues, but decision-makers at Villa Park are expected to stick firmly to their valuation of the 23-year-old.
| Aston Villa record arrivals | Fee |
| Moussa Diaby | £51.9million |
| Amadou Onana | £50million |
| Emiliano Buendia | £38million |
| Ian Maatsen | £37.5million |
| Ollie Watkins | £33million |
Should an offer deemed suitable arrive, however, Paqueta would likely be among the top options to replace the midfielder.
Santi Aouna reported on 28 August that Villa have made contact over the Brazilian, and have been told that they must pay £60m to complete the signing.
A fee in that region would see Paqueta become the Villans’ record signing, exceeding the £51.9m paid to sign Moussa Diaby from Bayer Leverkusen in 2023.
Lucas Paqueta could provide interesting option for Unai Emery
Whilst Paqueta is an attacking midfielder by trade, the Brazilian is also more than capable of contributing defensively.
The 28-year-old is a superb presser of the ball, and can often be seen tracking back to harry opponents as they look to build up.
- Lucas Paqueta completed 1.35 key passes every 90 minutes last season, according to FBref.
- The midfielder also created 2.35 shot-creating actions and completed 2.51 tackles.
Paqueta’s best work comes in the final third, however, with the former Lyon man producing excellent numbers with the ball at his feet.
The midfielder would likely play at the head of the Villa midfield, but could also be slotted into a three alongside Youri Tielemans and Boubacar Kamara.
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