Most West Ham fans were realistic enough to know that Lucas Paquetá was only ever likely to spend one final season at the club.
After all, many had feared a lifetime ban, or, in the event of an acquittal, a transfer away from the London Stadium this summer.
So it’s no real surprise to discover that the Brazilian will leave at the end of this season—although the way the message was delivered feels a little peculiar.
Lucas Paqueta will leave West Ham at the end of the season
Posting on his social media, Paquetá wrote:
“It’s about choosing those who welcomed you, who never judged you, who believed in you until the very last moment, who loved you and made you feel at home. It’s about staying loyal not only when you had everything, but also when there was nothing… it’s not time to say goodbye yet! Let’s go together for one more season!”
Pretty cryptic stuff, and while he insists it’s not yet time to say goodbye, Paquetá is clearly signalling his intention to leave once this campaign is over. The rallying cry of “let’s go for one more season” also feels a little unnecessary, given the transfer window has already shut. He can’t move at the moment anyway.
Paqueta transfer move collapsed
A deadline-day move to Aston Villa collapsed when the Midlander’s failed to meet West Ham’s demand for an up-front fee. There was also interest from the Saudi Pro League, as well as a cheeky bid from Tottenham Hotspur after their deal for Morgan Gibbs-White fell through.
Quite why Paquetá is choosing to announce his departure now is a bit of a mystery—most Hammers fans had already assumed it was inevitable. But perhaps it just sets the stage for one long lap of honour to say farewell.
And if the Brazilian starts that goodbye tour with a goal and a win against Tottenham, there won’t be too many complaints.
That’s great. I don’t mind that, him telling us he’s going a year in advance. I wish more footballers had that kind of honesty. As long as he doesn’t go to another London club I’ll wish him well when he goes.
You could interpret that in the complete opposite way Gonzo, optimist or pessimist take your pick 😊
I would agree with Chris; there is nothing in what Paquetá said that definitely states that he WILL be leaving next summer. Rather, his words meaning may have been lost in translation OR , he could mean that this is his last year. Nothing will be known of his actual intentions until he answers the direct question : “are you leaving next summer ?” Until we get the answer to that, don’t get too despondent !
Cannot fault that, he’s giving us one last season so let’s start planning for his departure and get some quality in next season.
Whu has been given enough warning they need to start planning now.
Not their usual throw 100s of names in hat and hope for the best at eleventh hour.
Avoid lo-ball bidding and favourite saying ‘we tried’.
Perhaps the board will have some better organisation in 12 months
Got to wish him nothing but good luck whatever happens, but I am old enough to remember when the manager decided who left ,where and when, remember Cloughie and co ? Different world then I suppose. 🙏🏻
Perhaps if we qualify for Champions League next season then Lucas Paqueta might be happy to stay. We could start our climb up the ladder this weekend with a win against Tottenham. COYI !
That’s more like what we need to hear Hammeroo! COYI. ⚒
It’s “one more season” not “one last season”.
This is just going to get the idiots frothing. I expect some morons might even start booing him. The post is open to interpretation, but sure, go for the worst. No need.
I’m just going to put this out there, and clutching at straws a little perhaps, but I’m not 100% sure that he meant to say he was leaving.
I’m not sure about Portuguese, but certainly in Spanish, ‘one more’ and ‘another’ are written the same way. ‘una temporada más’ is literally ‘one more season’, but if you want to make it clear that you mean ‘only one more season’ you’d need to add the word ‘solo’ to it. So his comment could have been (and in a latin-based language almost certainly would have been) ‘let’s work (go) together for another season’. Portuguese is very similar in it’s structure to Spanish. Just saying, if he wrote that post himself that the nuance that we all took from it may not have been his intent.
Nonetheless, whether it was his intent or not, we’d all probably get ready for it anyway.
I’d agree , Chris
Gives sully an excuse to sell him in January.