Villa now set sights on Paqueta

Undeterred, NSWE are now eyeing up a deal for Lucas Paqueta, according to West Ham outlet Claret and Hugh. The Brazilian would like to move to reigning champions Manchester City, but Villa have joined Arsenal, Spurs and Manchester United in making it clear that they will try to sign him if that deal doesn’t materialise. Significantly, the 26-year-old’s contract includes an £80m release clause.

Paqueta is currently under investigation for alleged breaches of betting rules, which he denies, and is apparently considering legal action against the FA if he doesn’t receive a verdict by April. Any move, of course, will hinge upon whether he avoids a ban.

“Magician” Paqueta combines the ugly and the beautiful

Signing Paqueta could be a huge statement, and not just because of the record-shattering transfer fee. Villa and West Ham are two clubs of a similar status, each playing in European competition and trying to pierce the big-six bubble, so it may say a great deal about the former’s trajectory if they can poach a player from the latter.

Dubbed a “magician” by former Premier League midfielder Robbie Mustoe, Paqueta can play as a left winger, number 10 and number eight. He’s capable of playing the final ball – he ranks second in the West Ham squad (among those with at least 1,000 minutes played) for expected assists per 90 (0.17) and key passes per 90 (1.55) – but he can also launch dangerous attacks from deeper positions too. Nobody in the Irons ranks averages more progressive passes or passes into the final third than Paqueta (6.9 and 4.76).