David Moyes sees £50million Brazil superstar Lucas Paqueta as potentially a gateway signing for more elite talents at West Ham.
The 33-cap playmaker, 25, has yet to train with his new team-mates but Moyes is excited at the prospect of a captive South American audience watching the serial thriller in action. The Hammers have splashed out more than £150million on eight players - including £30.5million striker Gianluca Scamacca - to prove their ambition this summer.
England stars Declan Rice and Jarrod Bowen are also set to form part of their new-look line-up but Moyes is delighted that all-eyes will be on their record signing. “If Paqueta plays well here I think it will be a big, big thing for us,” he said. “because we've got one of England's best footballers here at the moment, maybe two.
“We've brought them on and they've done well. If we can bring a Brazilian player in it will send out a message in Brazil that this is a good place to come. We don't really get the best young ones, the models like Man City have, but maybe we'll become much more attractive because most of the Brazilian nation will be watching, and more South Americans will be watching Paqueta play for West Ham than ever before.
“There have been a lot of statement signings this year at many clubs, but for us he is a player who has been liked by so many teams and we have been able to get him. The big thing is his flexibility. We will need a bit of time to get to know him and how best to use him. We are looking forward to having him.
“We’ve been watching him for a long time. Obviously he really came into our attention when we played him against Lyon and he was the standout player, a game changer for them. We didn’t think he was ever going to be available. A big thank you to the board for making that happen.”
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Such has been Paqueta’s intention to join the Hammers, Moyes dismissed suggestions that bigger clubs tried to hijack the deal in the final few days.
“Never once did we have any indications of any hijacking,” he said. “Maybe someone knows more than I do but at no time did I think there was anything else happening.”
Moyes’ reinforced West Ham side host Spurs tonight looking to win three consecutive home Premier League games against their London rivals for the first time since a run of four between 1997 to 1999. But Antonio Conte’s men have earned 10 points out of a possible 12 - their second-best start to a season in Premier League history.
“They are tough to play against,” said Moyes. “It is good for a manager to have a team like that."
Moyes warned striker Richardson, however, any attempt to repeat the ball-juggling antics that saw him scythed down by Nottingham Forest’s players on Sunday could get a similar response at the London Stadium.
Moyes: “I think football in all countries there’s no room for ball juggling whether it is in this one or any other ones, or whether it be in non-league or the premier league. If you are talented enough to do that, you need to be strong enough to take the hits.”
