West Ham are expected to sell Lucas Paqueta this summer but Arsenal and Spurs now want the star they’re eyeing to replace him.
The summer transfer window opens in just over two months and London rivals are already jostling for position over potential signings.
January was extremely quiet across the board. So West Ham and rivals Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal are expected to be busy this summer.
Especially as it marks the start of a new three-year PSR cycle.
West Ham are facing the very real prospect of losing star playmaker Lucas Paqueta to Man City.
Busy summer window in prospect for London rivals
And the Hammers have been linked with a host of players using the £85m they’re expected to make from that deal.
The problem is Arsenal and Tottenham are now said to be circling around one of them.
West Ham fans will remember the club’s attempts to sign Raphinha from Leeds back in January 2022.
As reported at the time by the likes of The Guardian and since confirmed by David Moyes, West Ham bid £50m for Raphinha.
The move failed to materialise and Paqueta’s Brazil teammate went on to be sold to Barcelona.
Spanish outlet Mundo Deportivo recently reported that Raphinha is the subject of interest from West Ham again ahead of the summer.
Arsenal and Spurs want West Ham target Raphinha
But according to a new report overnight, as covered by Football Espana, Arsenal and Spurs have joined the race for 27-year-old Raphinha.
Barca must make sales this summer and the attacker – who can play on either wing, as a second striker or up front – has lost his place to youngster Lamine Yamal.
“England could be calling, and Raphinha is certainly attracting lots of interest,” the report states.
“According to the Daily Mail (via MD), the Brazilian winger has “several suitors” in the Premier League, with Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur listed as two of the clubs that are keen.
“It is looking increasingly likely that Raphinha will be sold by Barcelona this summer. They will hope to generate as much money as possible from the deal, especially considering that they still owe Leeds from the transfer in 2022.”
Guaranteed game time West Ham’s trump card?
Arsenal – and possibly Spurs too – may have Champions League football to offer Raphinha.
West Ham could as well of course, should they go on to win the Europa League.
Should Paqueta be sold, one thing the Hammers will be able to offer Raphinha over the Gunners and Tottenham is that he will be a guaranteed starter.
There is also the issue of manager’s future. Raphinha appears to very much be a Moyes target.
Should he leave it remains to be seen whether technical director Tim Steidten would still push for that move.