Even if Lucas Paqueta is eventually acquitted during his long-running spot-fixing trial, whether the West Ham United playmaker will still be a Premier League footballer come the start of 2025/26 is anybody’s guess.
A club source informed Hammers News at the end of June that, presuming he does not find himself banned from professional football, Lucas Paqueta would be a target for Saudi Arabian clubs.
Al Nassr and Neom SC appear destined to miss out on Mohammed Kudus – even though the Tottenham target could earn £17m-a-year in the Middle East – but there is still one big-name West Ham United player who could be joining Said Benrahma, Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema and co in the Saudi Pro League.
“Sadly there is no update on the case or a verdict being imminent,” the top spokesman for West Ham’s board exclusively told Hammers News just over a week ago.
“But [if he is cleared] we think Saudi clubs are very interested in him.”
Even presuming the Brazil international has played his last game in the claret and blue of West Ham United though, there is a chance that Paqueta’s journey in English football has a few more stops left.
Hammers News were told on Thursday, by football correspondent Graeme Bailey, that the Manchester City door remains ajar.
Lucas Paqueta greets the fans during Ipswich Town FC v West Ham United FC - Premier League
Photo by Richard Pelham/Getty Images
West Ham United ace Lucas Paqueta is still ‘loved’ by Manchester City
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Pep Guardiola’s side had agreed a staggering £80 million deal in principle during the summer of 2023, per Sky Sports, only to pull the plug when an FA-led investigation began over alleged betting breaches.
The Football Association had been pushing for a lifetime ban. So no wonder Man City have stayed out of Paqueta’s way since then, spending considerable sums on the likes of Rayan Cherki, Rayan Ait-Nouri, Tijjani Reijnders and Nico Gonzalez in the meantime.
However, Hammers News understands that the Man City situation is one to watch closely as Lucas Paqueta awaits the verdict which could jump-start his footballing career.
The eight-time Premier League champions still ‘love’ Paqueta. Despite a difficult campaign in which off-field issues perhaps affected his performances on it, there could still be a place for him at the Etihad.
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola embraces West Ham's Brazilian midfielder Lucas Paqueta
Photo by BEN STANSALL/AFP via Getty Images
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Kevin de Bruyne departed over the summer, joining Napoli on a free transfer. Ilkay Gundogan and Bernardo Silva are also well into their 30s now, while Jack Grealish’s underwhelming performances in a sky blue shirt are well documented.
Interestingly, West Ham discussed James McAtee with Man City during the January window. Maybe there is a possibility of the England Under-21 international, a key part of Lee Carsley’s European Championship winning squad, moving in the other direction as part of any future negotiations.
Hammers News have been informed that West Ham may now be willing to accept around £30 to £40 million for Paqueta. At most, half the fee they agreed with Man City two summers ago.
A return to Brazil feels unlikely, meanwhile, due to a reported £150,000-a-week pay packet.
Reporter Jorge Nicola claims that Flamengo will not make a move for Lucas Paqueta until the result of his trial is made public. And, even then, a man who made his debut for the Rio-based outfit nine years ago would likely have to accept a sizeable wage cut.
“Flamengo follows the Paqueta situation very closely because they understand he would be a great addition to the red and black team,” Nicola said earlier this summer.
“But it is impossible to imagine any kind of proposal from Flamengo before the result of the trial.”