Saudi Eyes on West Ham Star in Late Transfer Twist

West Ham are still susceptible to a last-minute transfer raid from Saudi Arabia, according to reports earlier this afternoon.

The Saudi Pro League transfer window remains open until Wednesday 10 September, meaning clubs can still buy players from the Premier League.

And while the Hammers would no doubt still be open to selling Guido Rodríguez, it is a last-ditch attempt to lure away Lucas Paquetá that’s being reported.

Now, it has to be said that the source of the story is Football Insider, who got it horribly wrong a couple of days ago by suggesting West Ham could replace Graham Potter with Frank Lampard. That story was rubbished directly to Claret & Hugh, with a club source calling the rumour “nonsense.”

However, the same outlet did break the news of Ruben Amorim holding secret talks with West Ham before Julen Lopetegui was appointed.

Transfer window remains open

Saudi clubs are known to have an interest in Paquetá, and some believe the Hammers board would love to cash in on the Brazilian. That said, manager Graham Potter has made it abundantly clear he wants the playmaker to remain at the club.

Club bosses rejected a £45m deadline-day offer from Aston Villa for Paquetá and slapped a £60m price tag on his head. At that point the club would have been able to replace him, but if he were to be sold to Saudi now, there would be no replacement available (and no, Josh Brownhill doesn’t count—he’s set for a mega-money move to Saudi himself).

For that reason, it’s very difficult to see West Ham being tempted to sell Paquetá before January at the earliest. And anyway, his celebration after scoring against Nottingham Forest made it abundantly clear he’s happy at the London Stadium.