Paquetá’s West Ham Revival in Transfer Kitty Boost

West Ham manager Graham Potter may be coming under scrutiny due to the Hammers’ lowly league position, but one area where he has undeniably excelled is in resurrecting the form of Lucas Paquetá.

It’s fair to say the Brazilian playmaker struggled for form during David Moyes’ final six months at the club and throughout Julen Lopetegui’s short and uninspiring reign.

However, the arrival of Potter — and his likeable man-management skills — appears to have reinvigorated Paquetá, who now looks close to the top of his game.

While a few West Ham fans were frustrated with the midfielder’s role in Liverpool’s winning goal at Anfield on Sunday, most would agree he was one of the best players on the pitch.

It’s easy to understand Paquetá’s personal struggles, particularly with the ongoing betting allegations hanging over him for the past 18 months. But now, we’re starting to see the kind of performances that made Manchester City willing to pay £80 million for him in the summer of 2023.

Paquetá has his swagger back and is playing like the type of midfielder any team would want in their side. So it’s no surprise to see Pep Guardiola reportedly reigniting his interest in the Brazilian, who could make a major difference in City’s midfield.

West Ham’s record signing will be extremely difficult to replace. There are very few players capable of doing what Paquetá does at his best.

However, there’s light at the end of the tunnel — and thanks to his resurgence under Potter, the Hammers may well find themselves with a substantial transfer fee to reinvest this summer.