By Wayne Veysey

21st Aug, 2023 | 6:52am

Revealed: West Ham deal to sign attacker collapses after Lucas Paqueta twist

West Ham target Elye Wahi has agreed a deal to join RC Lens for £25.7million, sources have told Football Insider.

David Moyes’ side had emerged in pole position to land the centre-forward, 20, and were in the advanced stages of securing a deal with his club Montpellier.

This came after Chelsea had a bid of their own rejected. 

But West Ham pulled the plug on their deal for Wahi due to the Lucas Paqueta betting drama that significantly altered the amount of money they were to have available to spend.

Paqueta’s own proposed move to Man City, which could have cost over £80million, has broken down and led to a change of plan for the Hammers hierarchy.

David Moyes and the club’s recruitment team have been keen to bolster their attack with just under two weeks remaining until the transfer window closes. 

They were closing in on Wahi after he impressed last season with 19 Ligue 1 goals, including four in 15 minutes during one appearance against Lyon.

Meanwhile, West Ham are discussing a £40m bid for Mohammed Kudus of Ajax and that deal is looking increasingly likely to proceed following further Sunday discussions. 

Kudus was linked with a move to Brighton this summer, but the deal failed to materialise, and he has also been on the radar of Chelsea.

The Hammers have also agreed a deal with Stuttgart over signing former Arsenal defender Konstantinos Mavropanos.

The Stuttgart defender has also had interest from Eintracht Frankfurt, Wolves and Nottingham Forest this summer but is attracted by the prospect of a return to London under David Moyes and flew to London over the weekend to undergo medical test.

West Ham have turned to the 25-year-old Greece international after talks for Manchester United defender Harry Maguire stalled.

In other news, West Ham submit bid for striker wanted by Tottenham in shock move.