As Lucas Paqueta and Brazil bowed out of the Copa America losing to Uruguay, the player was substituted late on in the second half, and received much criticism from the Brazilian press for a very average performance.
Much must be playing on his mind, with the FA betting charges hanging over his head.
Flamengo entered talks a month ago with West Ham for a loan move, which basically serves no purpose to anyone, yet a permanent transfer may suit all parties.
West Ham invested Ā£51m back in 2022 for the player, and will want to recoup a large portion of their investment, and could include a sell on clause, should the player in the future not be found guilty and then seek a move back to Europe.
Manchester City have been admirers of the mercurial talent, and would be quick to pounce should he become available.
The player has reportedly shown some interest in the move to Brazil, yet given his career may be short lived I find it odd that he would walk away from a Ā£150k a week salary at West Ham to join a league where top flight players receive on average a maximum of Ā£25k a week.
One of the key reasons to leave Lyon for West Ham was the uplift in salary from Ā£51k a week, albeit at a lower tax rate of 30%.
Paqueta began his career at Flamengo, and if found guilty by the FA, it may take some time for FIFA to then implement an international ban.
Lots of moving chess pieces on this one, and Lopetegui may feel that keeping the player will be divisive to the dressing room and his future plans for West Ham.
Guest Post by Matt Kemp
Salary information isnāt accurate. First you should never say āon average a maximumā. Average and maximum are very different concepts. Second, there are several players earning as much as Ā£150,000 a week in Brazil in top clubs like Flamengo, Palmeiras and Corinthians.
The issue isnāt the salary. Is the visibility, the level of the game, the reach of PL is incomparable to the Brazilian leagueā¦
I donāt believe WH would want to sell him if there was a chance he could be
Given the funds he must have at his disposal, I’m surprised that he hasn’t counter-sued them for damages.
The evidence they have is laughable and i feel sorry for the guy and if this drags on you have to wonder what type of player will come back….he has been open with them but as ever the FA drag there feet and i can see this ending up in a proper court of law if they go ahead and decide they will punish him as the evidence is pathetic.
Paqueta did well for us with this charge hanging over him. I think the whole thing is, for what it’s worth, a figment of the FA’s imagination. And what a player he could be for us if finally cleared. I’d keep him.
Why does it take so long to deal with Paqueta and previously with Toney?
The FA are messing about with careers and clubs by not resolving matters urgently. They seem to lack a spine by passing the decision to an independent panel. Surely the evidence has been collated and the decision of guilty or not guilty could have been given before the Copa America.
This is now the third transfer window Paqueta has had this hanging over his head. Enough is enough, either find him guilty or let him play with his name cleared.
Totally agree
Didnāt the spineless FA pass the ācaseā on to an independent tribunal? Thus washing their hands of their responsibilities.
But! Heās a professional paid big money. It doesnāt matter what is āhanging over his headā, he should still put in 100% when he plays.
Keep him…….. Paqueta would be amazing under the new coaches’ tactics and style.
I would keep him as I donāt see him being found guilty of the charges against him ! We can then sell him to city as agreed for Ā£85m or more if others become involved.Or we can just keep him and up the buy out clause or remove it ?
I think he should move on. On his day he can be amazing but often anonymous and his long term future isnāt with us so the earlier we get shot the better.
Spot on – shame, but he needs top quality players around him to allow him to perform and make the inevitable mistakes that come with it.