West Ham have made a power play move on long-term Newcastle United target Lucas Paqueta.
And while the Magpies are pressing ahead with a club record bid for Alexander Isak, the Hammers have submitted their offer for the Lyon star with the first bid going in at £33.7million.
Paqueta is a close pal of Bruno Guimaraes and even visited the city at the end of last season - donning a Toon shirt in the Brazil star's back garden - but West Ham have pushed on with a bid.
West Ham boss said today: "There's been a lot of talk about him - but I can tell you yeah we have made a move. He's 23 and has 30 Brazil caps. "He can play as a 10, an eight or a false nine. I think his pedigree is really good.
"Pedigree doesn't always guarantee anything but you'd hope it works towards getting better."
When asked if Newcastle should take the plunge and sign Lucas, Bruno said recently: "I would love that! But I don’t work in this area. I am a player. I invited him and we play together in my garden. It was only this."
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