Moyes admits Lucas Paqueta doubt after West Ham bid confirmed, as new offer for second target revealed

David Moyes has admitted a doubt over Lucas Paqueta after confirming a West Ham bid for the midfielder, before also revealing another Hans Vanaken offer.

The Hammers suffered a slow and frustrating start to the summer transfer window but have since motored on. Their list of new additions now amounts to seven following Emerson Palmieri’s arrival.

West Ham, though, realise the need to bolster further – especially in midfield and up front.

As a result, reports on Wednesday revealed a bid from the London Stadium club for Brazil midfielder Paqueta.

And Moyes has now confirmed the offer for the 24-year-old, who has 23 caps for his country and was last season named as the best foreign player in France’s Ligue 1.

“We have bid for him,” Moyes told a press conference before adding the impressive early years of Paqueta’s career do not guarantee Premier League success.

“He can play as a number 10, an eight, he plays as a false nine for Brazil quite often. I think his pedigree is really good,” he added.

“Pedigree doesn’t always guarantee that it works, but you would hope that it helps towards him possibly getting better.”

Paqueta moved to Lyon from AC Milan in September 2020 and has made 80 appearances, scoring 21 goals and assisting 14 others.

The long-time Arsenal transfer target has featured in both of Lyon’s league matches so far this season.

Moyes confirms further bid after Paqueta

West Ham boss Moyes also confirmed an “improved” bid for Club Brugge attacking midfielder Hans Vanaken.

The Scot did not state the sum, but Brugge rejected the Hammers’ last effort of an initial £9.2million.

That second effort came after an £8.4million bid failed last week.

Vanaken, a 30-year-old Belgium international, recently claimed that this summer is realistically his “last chance” to move to the Premier League.

West Ham hoping for key change

West Ham will hope their latest two targets will help them stop the rot that is their early-season form.

Moyes’ men sit bottom of the Premier League table after three games having not claimed a single point.

The lack of any goals has compounded those three successive defeats to Manchester City, Nottingham Forest and Brighton.

As such, West Ham will hope Paqueta and Vanaken can help to turn the tide at the London Stadium.