Lucas Paqueta has dropped the biggest hint yet over his long-term future at West Ham United, stating that he "loves" playing for the club.
The Brazilian netted from the penalty spot in Monday's night 1-1 draw with Bournemouth, having been ousted from Julen Lopetegui's starting lineup in recent weeks.
Paqueta was once a primary transfer target for champions Manchester City, being valued at around £85m by West Ham, but his hopes of a move faded amid allegations of spot fixing in regards to picking up intentional yellow cards.
The 27-year-old has protested his innocence throughout and hit out in October at the length of time the FA's investigation into the allegations was taking - no outcome has been determined at the time of writing.
On the field, West Ham have struggled to get to grips with the playing identity of new boss Lopetegui, who has come under heavy fire from the club's supporters for a string of heavy defeats. Paqueta's form has also been patchy, leading him to be dropped from the team.
After netting against Bournemouth, Paqueta spoke of his delight at scoring his first away goal of the season and sent a strong signal that he wants to remain a West Ham player.
"I’m so happy to score tonight, but we want to win every game,” he told official club channels. “It was a difficult game here, but I think it’s a big and important point. I think we did very well. Now we have time to recover and work a lot, to improve and to play again next week.
Lucas Paqueta
Paqueta is still under investigation for alleged involvement in spot fixing / Richard Pelham/GettyImages
"It was a difficult game but Bournemouth are a good team. They played very well against some of the biggest teams in the Premier League, but we did very well. The Premier League is like this and we have to still be in the same way.
"I tried to concentrate on my shot and when I had the ball I looked at the goalkeeper and I tried to score, and today I scored so I am happy.
"I am like this," he continued, when describing his celebration with Lopetegui. "I love to play here with West Ham, I love the strengths [of the team] and I try to move and to improve, and with the coach we have the same way and work together.
"For me it’s very important to play. I like to play every day, every week, then I’m happy and I try to improve and now I’ll focus on the next game."
West Ham sit 14th in the Premier League table after collecting 19 points from their first 16 matches. A tricky run of festive fixtures await under Lopetegui, who must face bogey-team Brighton at London Stadium before travelling to managerless Southampton.
Liverpool and Manchester City then follow in quick succession, with the results of those four games potentially determining the long-term fate of Lopetegui, who has seen his role linked to Graham Potter and a number of other out of work managers.
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