The FA inquiry may be over and Lucas Paquetá’s innocence from the charges laid by the English Football associations may have been refuted, but West Ham supporters now have to endure a different peril: His standing rising and form returning means Premier League clubs again looking to bolster their squads casting covetous eyes over West Ham’s Brazilian.
To his credit, Lucas Paquetá has expressed nothing but love and gratitude to both the club and to its supporters who he feels have backed him all the way- which could well help keep him at London Stadium for the coming season with just three weeks of transfer window remaining. Chairman David Sullivan has proclaimed that the club wouldn’t sell him for less than. £70 million if memory serves me right but if an offer comes in anywhere close, the issue is likely to be signing a replacement in time.
Manchester City are today reported as one of the likely suitors, re-kindling their interest of two years ago but this time according to a host of UK an euro sports sites (gazetaexpress.com one of many) would be keen to exchange Paquetá for Jack Grealish as part of the deal. something of an imbalance to save there, freakish earns double Lucas Paqueta’s £150,000a week wages.
In to the ‘Paqueta’ arena apparently stride Newcastle United, still smarting from losing their Benjamin Sesko tug of war to Manchester United, with multiple sources around the twittersphere claiming ‘Paquetá is well liked by Newcastle’ who are desperate to save face.
Hammers fans would want to see a season of Paquetá at his best and unless the Hammers have a superb replacement lined up, what benefit would there be in selling the Brazilian now when his stock and value will only rise in the next 12 months as his form returns.
Logic doesn’t always come into play at West Ham United, as we’ve found – so there’ll be an awful lot of anxious fans waiting for the window to ‘slam’ shut with Paquetá, not Jack Grealish (thank you very much) wearing the claret and blue again next season.
According to ‘Hard Tackle’ website, they are saying that Paqueta can be bought for 45m. They do seem to be seeing it from a Man City view of the situation, so one wonders whether that is the price they are looking for.
Personally I would keep him for that amount, but as it says he has only two years left on his contract and he is not likely to sign an extension to his contract. Getting in a replacement for him now will be a challenge as well. I think he will be pivotal to West Ham’s season but I can see City putting in a bid North of 45-50m + add ons taking it closer to the 60m mark. I believe that may be accepted if we can get another two quality midfielders in before the window closes.
Get the money give it to Sullivan so he can keep it safe for us and Brownhill will slot in lovely what is the problem everyone? its a win win surely
The problem, with waiting for his value to increase over the season, would be that he will then only have 1 year left on his contract. 🙁
Time will tell, if a big enough offer comes in. For example, McAtee plus cash with a sweet loan deal for Grealish where they pay 2/3 of his wages.
Lucas must stay! Grealish go away. He would not be interested in our badge.
If we are to lose Paqueta to City, O Riley, McAtee and maybe Grealish should be the trade, O Riley is truly different level potential.Am not fussed by Grealish but do want their outstanding youth players. Paqueta is world class our best player on his day and £70 or £80 million is not enough to replace him, like Rice you can’t replace them sort of players. So the best we can hope for is players with a high ceiling coming good.
Am hopeful we can keep Paqueta for another season and to supplement him with better players around him, maybe even give Emerson a go in left midfield they have a great understanding together.
Prefer Mcatee and more cash than grealish and a few quid; £300k a week crazy.
Plus he’s old soon, no resale value; Mcatee and money for two decent signings just about makes up for pacqueta.
We nearly got Cole Palmer as part of 80m pacqueta deal.
A couple of days ago the same story appeared here with the words in a different order and that was then followed by an alleged firm rebuttal from City/Pep. If West Ham are going to go into every season behaving as if it is their place in the Premier League to provide the other teams with the players necessary to become successful, then don’t cry about being a feeder club. If we behave like one, then that is what we are, a team with no ambition beyond a top ten finish.
If we have to sell Paqueta it will be a real shame.
Yes we must stick to 70 million
If a player exchange is involved Mcatee would be my choice.
Grealish for me has lost his form and we could never pay him the wage he is being paid at city.
We could get 3 or more players and pay the same wage.
We do need to push for a young striker as well