West Ham is close to signing Lyon midfielder, Lucas Paqueta after reaching an agreement on personal terms with the Brazilian midfielder. Paqueta is a long-term target of Arsenal and the Gunners were tipped to move for him in this transfer window. However, they have not pushed on with their interest and West Ham is now close to adding him to their squad. Paqueta impressed when he faced them in the Europa League last season and David Moyes now wants to add him to his squad. Matchplug understands that they have agreed on personal terms with him, but they must meet Lyon’s asking price for the former AC Milan man. They have submitted a second bid worth £42million for his signature, but Lyon wants £50million. West Ham is not expected to give up on the chase yet. The Hammers will likely improve their offer and the midfielder’s agent is now in London to help complete the transfer.

West Ham has been told to pay more money by Club Brugge for their captain, Hans Vanaken. The Belgian has been on the radar of David Moyes’ side in recent weeks as they look to add newer players to their squad. The Hammers had a great European campaign last season, but they finished in the Conference League place in the Premier League. They have started this season badly and want to back Moyes with the players he needs to turn things around. After securing the signature of Chelsea left-back, Emerson Palmieri, they have turned their attention to bolstering their midfield. Vanaken has been at Brugge since 2015, and he has made over 260 league appearances for them, scoring 80 goals. The 30-year-old has spent all his career playing in Belgium, and he knows this is his last chance to play in a top European league. Matchplug understands that he wants the move and has told his present employer. But they want the Hammers to pay more than the £9.2million plus £1.6m in add-ons they have offered so far.

Leicester City is maintaining their stance that Wesley Fofana is not for sale for under £80m and they have rejected a new bid from Chelsea. The Blues have reached an agreement over personal terms with the Frenchman and they are now looking to strike an agreement with the Foxes to sign him. They have had numerous bids for his signature rejected and Brendan Rodgers dropped him for Leicester’s match at the weekend. The defender has asked them to sell him and he even missed training just to force through the move. Chelsea knows he wants to join them and they are pushing to make the move happen. Matchplug understands that their latest bid is worth around £70m. ideally, it should be enough for them to sell him. However, Leicester does not want to sell unless Chelsea meets their asking price. Rodgers has now banished the former Saint Etienne man to the under23s as he missed training to force the transfer.

Aston Villa has struck an agreement with Watford for the transfer of Ismaila Sarr, according to reports. The Senegalese star has been with the Hornets since 2019 and they have managed to keep hold of him till now despite reported interest in his signature from the top clubs. He was unable to stop them from getting relegated from the Premier League again last season, but he is now set to finally leave them. Matchplug understands Villa has agreed on a deal to add him to their squad and he will return to the English top flight. Steven Gerrard’s side has started this season poorly with one win and two losses. They were beaten 3-1 by Crystal Palace yesterday and the former Liverpool midfielder would be keen to ensure his side gets back to form. Sarr has been a star in the EPL and he will hope to help them get back among the hardest teams to beat in the league.

Dele Alli has had one of the most spectacular falls in football as he closes in on leaving the Premier League for good. The former Tottenham midfielder joined Everton in the January transfer window after struggling to recapture his early career form at Tottenham. Frank Lampard backed him and offered him a lot of chances to prove his worth, but the Englishman could not return to form. He is down the pecking order at Goodison Park now, and this transfer window offers him a good chance to change the air. Matchplug understands that Besiktas is keen to add him to their squad, and they have asked Everton for his signature. The Toffees want to offload him, but it is now left for the midfielder to decide his future. Besiktas hopes he agrees to leave the Premier League, where all the spotlight has been on him because of his stuttering career.