WEST HAM want to sign Botafogo’s brilliant Brazilian striker Igor Jesus in a surprise £30million raid.
And that could spark a shock swap deal that would see Lucas Paqueta return to his homeland.
Jesus has been scoring in Brazil since his return from a near four-year spell in the United Arab Emirates.
He only joined Rio de Janeiro club Botafogo earlier this year, but they will trade at the right price.
Jesus, 23, has just made the Brazil senior squad for the first time.
Botafogo owner John Textor was keen to move him to Everton if he had won the takeover battle for the Merseysiders.
Now the Hammers are eager to sign Jesus as they look to add extra flair to their forward line — and they could try for him in January.
However, Textor is a huge fan of the mercurial Paqueta, who saw a move to Manchester City collapse after the story of a betting probe emerged.
He protests his innocence, but any club signing him would take the risk of possible future action – especially with the FA pushing for a LIFETIME BAN.
But Botafogo would take Paqueta and try to come to an arrangement with West Ham.
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West Ham splashed out on German international Niclas Fullkrug in the summer transfer window.
The striker joined the club after an impressive campaign with Borussia Dortmund and Germany.
However, the forward is yet to impress at the London Stadium as he has failed to score in any of his three Premier League appearances.
To make matters worse he has been on the sidelines since the last international break with injury.
This had left under-pressure manager Julen Lopetegui to rely on Michail Antonio and Danny Ings.
The club had multiple offers turned down for Aston Villa star Jhon Duran.
The striker has netted eight goals in all competitions this season, including two in the Champions League.
LUCAS PAQUETA has been charged by the FA over four specific games...
FIRST INCIDENT – West Ham 0-2 Leicester, 60th minute
The Brazilian was booked for lunging into Leicester’s Boubakary Soumare from behind.
After initially playing the advantage, referee Jarred Gillett eventually pulled it back and brandished the yellow.
SECOND INCIDENT – West Ham 1-1 Aston Villa, 70th minute
Four months later against Aston Villa Paqueta slid into John McGinn inside the centre circle, completely missing the ball and instead catching his legs.
THIRD INCIDENT – West Ham 3-1 Leeds, 65th minute
At the end of the 2022-23 campaign against Leeds at the London Stadium Paqueta tripped Crysencio Summerville from behind.
The foul prevented the visitors from breaking on the counter attack.
FOURTH INCIDENT – Bournemouth 1-1 West Ham, 93rd minute
With just a few minutes remaining on the opening day of the season, Paqueta jumped up for an aerial challenge but instead handled the ball.
The referee, who was standing directly in front of him, was quick to brandish the yellow.
