David Moyes is reportedly seeking to leverage his longstanding connections from his West Ham tenure as he plans his next moves at Everton. Everton’s recent 2-0 win over Brighton marked their first triumph of the season, offering a much-needed boost following a defeat against Leeds. New summer signing Jack Grealish made an immediate impact by providing an assist, but the club remains on the lookout for additional reinforcements ahead of the looming 1 September transfer deadline.

Central to Moyes’s plans is West Ham midfielder Lucas Paqueta, who has emerged as a top target for Everton. According to the Daily Mail, Everton have entered the fray to sign the Brazilian playmaker, with his departure from West Ham appearing increasingly likely. Moyes is widely known to be an admirer of Paqueta, and the player has also drawn attention from Saudi Arabian clubs, while Manchester City previously explored a possible transfer.

Interest in Paqueta is not limited to Everton; both Aston Villa and Tottenham Hotspur are reported contenders for his signature. Moyes originally brought Paqueta to the Premier League while at West Ham, overseeing a club-record £51 million deal to secure his services from Lyon in 2022. Since joining, Paqueta has made 122 appearances for the Hammers and has been directly involved in 33 goals.

West Ham are understood to be open to letting Paqueta leave within the next week, but only if a suitable offer is presented. The club’s willingness to negotiate comes as they face a period of uncertainty and declining performances, making Paqueta’s potential exit a focal point of the transfer window.

David Moyes has been vocal about his admiration for Paqueta’s abilities. In 2023, he told the BBC: “Lucas was terrific. He drives me mad sometimes, but everybody who watched him would have said this player has incredible talent. There is a word that goes around, a maverick. He is that for us.”

Paqueta’s future could depend on whether a club can offer him Champions League football, which may play a decisive role in his decision-making process. As interest in the Brazilian intensifies across Europe, Everton’s pursuit of Paqueta could become one of the defining storylines of the final days of the transfer window.