Nigel Reo-Coker believes West Ham gem Lucas Paqueta is the type of player Manchester United should be looking to sign this summer.
Paqueta has been superb once again for the Irons this season after seeing a possible move to Manchester City last year break down.
The Brazilian continues to be linked with a switch to the Etihad Stadium, but Reo-Coker believes Man United should look to hijack a deal.
“We talk about the players Man United have got rid of,” he said on BBC Radio 5 Live’s The Friday Football Social [12 April, 7:58pm].
“If they had a plan and a direction, there are players out there they could get and then build for the future with some younger players.
“Another one out there is Paqueta at West Ham. He’s one who I think can get into any team and is one of the few players now in the modern game that could win the Ballon d’Or down the line.”
Lucas Paqueta contract length at West Ham United
Paqueta’s importance to West Ham has arguably been highlighted more in the games he has missed rather than the ones he played.
The 26-year-old has been a superb signing for the Irons and the club will not want to lose him at the end of the campaign, at which point he will have three years to run on his contract with the option of a further 12 months.
Should Man City make a mammoth offer, however, then their hand may be forced somewhat, as it was with Declan Rice to Arsenal last summer.
Paqueta has six assists and four goals in 25 Premier League appearances this term, but he is about more than just direct goal involvements.
It goes without saying that he would improve Man United’s starting line-up, but it would be a sideward move for him in many ways.
The talk of a move to Man City is unlikely to go away, but let’s just hope the club stand firm and keep hold of the extremely talented attacker.
In other West Ham news, Jason Cundy slammed David Moyes for a “terrible decision” he made.
