Football
Exclusive: West Ham Reject Exit Rumours as Lucas Paqueta Awaits FA Decision
West Ham are set to fend off interest from Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City for Lucas Paqueta, despite facing potential betting ban allegations. The club is keen to keep the Brazil international and hope to have clarity on his availability soon. The midfielder has been a key player for West Ham and is determined to clear his name of the charges.
Grasshopper Club Zurich v West Ham United: Pre-Season Friendly by West Ham United FC | Getty Images
West Ham ready to fight off bids for Brazilian midfielder Lucas Paqueta after a potential betting ban nearly finished his career, SportsBoom can exclusively reveal.
Rumours have been circulating that the Hammers are ready to offload the midfielder as he faced a potential lifetime ban from the Football Association following a long-running spot-fixing case.
But our sources have learnt the East London club are keen to keep the 27-year-old Brazil international and give him the chance to prove his worth in the Premier League season this season.
Graham Potter’s side kick off their league season away to Sunderland at the Stadium of Light on Saturday 16th August.
And SportsBoom has been told that the club hope to have clarity on Paqueta’s availability for next month with the FA set to deliver its verdict on the case any time soon.
It is understood Paqueta, who has been under investigation since August 2023 and who was officially charged in May 2024 for allegedly getting deliberately booked “for the improper purpose of affecting the betting market”, is most likely set to be cleared of the charges, although what/if any punishment is not clear at this juncture.
ALARMING ALLEGATIONS
Despite the allegations Paqueta has continued to play for the Hammers and was a mainstay of their side last, playing 36 games for the club, with 33 of those appearances in the Premier League.
The former AC Milan and Lyon playmaker has played three seasons with the Hammers in the Premier League and is under contract with the club for another two years.
The attacking midfielder joined the Hammers for a club record fee believed to be in the region of £50million plus performance-related add-ons.
Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City have both been linked with a big-money for the player, but it is believed Potter sees Paqueta as a key player in his team as the club look to improve on last season’s frustrating 14th place league finish.
"For nine months, I have co-operated with every step of their investigation and provided all the information I can,” said Paqueta, shortly after being charged by the FA.
“I deny all the charges in their entirety and will fight with every breath to clear my name.”
Neil has been a journalist for longer than he'd care to remember, having written for national newspapers and respected publications for over 25 years. For the last three years he has worked freelance for BBC Sport, working on the production desk as a sub-editor and also as a writer, covering a whole range of sports.