Incredible new Lucas Paqueta claim comes to light and it proves just how desperate West Ham are. West Ham United star Lucas Paqueta has been in the news regularly this season, but unfortunately for more bad reasons than good.
Lucas Paqueta has thrilled and disappointed the West Ham fans in equal measure since moving to the London Stadium. Everything changed for Paqueta when it emerged that he was being investigated for alleged breaches of betting rules in the summer of 2023.
There are said to be fears internally at the London Stadium that Paqueta could be handed a lifetime ban if found guilty of the charges levelled against him.
And incredibly, it has been claimed that Paqueta could claim up to £62 million in compensation, if he is indeed banned for life. It’s all very much up in the air right now really. Hopefully his trial will reach a positive conclusion soon.
That said, it seems like the club are still very much open to selling him…for a huge loss.
Lucas Paqueta claim proves how desperate West Ham are
The Brazil international has actually rediscovered some of his best form over the past two weeks. Surprisingly, his best performances for West Ham have come in the false nine role.
However, the Hammers hierarchy are clearly prepared to cut their losses on Paqueta. According to a report from Portal Do Palmeirense, the Hammers are prepared to sell the 27-year-old to Flamengo for just £20 million.
West Ham signed Paqueta from Lyon in the summer transfer window of 2022 for around £51 million (The Times).
So if we did sell him to Flamengo for £20 million, that would represent a £31 million loss on the fee we paid for him two-and-a-half years ago.
I have to say, as good as Lucas Paqueta has been at times for West Ham, moving him on may well be the best decision, even if it is for a massive loss.
Let’s be frank, the 27-year-old hasn’t lived up to his reputation since moving to the Hammers.
His tally of just 18 goals and 14 assists in 110 games for us says it all really.
That said, the through-ball he played for Jarrod Bowen in the 2023 Europa Conference League final was probably worth the transfer fee we paid for him on its own. If he does leave the London Stadium, he will always be remembered for that at least.
