Chelsea are reportedly considering a move for West Ham midfielder Lucas Paquetá as they look to strengthen their squad in the push for Champions League qualification.
The Blues, now under the management of Liam Rosenior, are believed to be assessing midfield options, with Paquetá emerging as a potential target. Reports from Brazil suggest Chelsea are among several clubs monitoring the situation, although West Ham are holding out for a fee above £35 million.
Paquetá still has 18 months remaining on his contract, but indications are that the Brazilian is open to leaving England. His future at the London Stadium has remained uncertain following a lengthy FA investigation into alleged spot-fixing, a case he was cleared of last summer.
The 28-year-old had previously been close to joining Manchester City in a deal worth around £85m in 2023, but the move collapsed due to the ongoing investigation at the time.
This season, Paquetá has registered four goals and one assist in 18 Premier League appearances, remaining a key figure despite West Ham’s struggles near the lower end of the table. He was left out of the Hammers’ FA Cup win over QPR after reportedly requesting exclusion amid speculation over his future.
Former club Flamengo are currently leading the race for his signature and are prepared to meet the £35m valuation, though West Ham are reluctant to sell unless their price is met, especially with relegation concerns growing.
Paquetá joined West Ham from Lyon in 2022 for £51m, going on to make 139 appearances and score 23 goals, including playing a crucial role in the club’s Europa Conference League triumph in 2023.
With West Ham boss Nuno Espírito Santo keen to rebalance his squad after already signing two strikers this window, a major sale could help fund further reinforcements — but losing Paquetá mid-season would be a significant risk.