Canal+ journalist Stephane Darmani has claimed that Lyon have rejected a bid worth “more than” €60m (£50m) for attacking midfielder Lucas Paqueta from a “top five” Premier League club:

C’est même + de 60 millions ! https://t.co/cGOXkJAhgo

— stéphane darmani (@stephdarmani) January 26, 2022

Darmani does not name the team, but it would be one of West Ham, Manchester City, Liverpool, Chelsea or Manchester United based on the table as it stands.

Reliable insider source ExWHUemployee has confirmed that the Hammers did table a £50m offer for a striker but the bid was turned down without any further discussions being held.

Whether Paqueta is the identity of that mystery forward, it is up for debate. The Brazilian international has played six games as a central striker this season, but he can also play as a number 10 or on the wing.

Paqueta signed from AC Milan for €20m in September 2020, but the 24-year-old isn’t a prolific goalscorer, having scored 18 goals in 59 appearances for the Ligue One side.