West Ham’s Lucas Paqueta has just made a huge hint about his future amid transfer links with Aston Villa.
Lucas Paqueta has just seemingly pledged his allegiance to West Ham United despite talks reportedly advancing over a potential transfer to Aston Villa.
The Brazil international was a doubt for the Hammers’ trip to Nottingham Forest with speculation ongoing, but he started and played a pivotal role Graham Potter’s side’s surprise 3-0 victory at the City Ground.
Paqueta scored from the penalty spot to make it two to the good in the 88th minute, following on from Jarrod Bowen’s opener and ahead of Callum Wilson’s 91st-minute clincher. Paqueta’s goal was important but his celebration even more so as he made some very telling hand gestures.
In an act that will please Hammers fans, Paqueta mimed putting a phone to his ear and throwing it away behind his back, before kissing the West Ham badge etched on his shirt. As much as that can be up to interpretation, the likeliest meaning was snubbing a transfer in favour of staying with his current club.
Fabrizio Romano claim contradicts Lucas Paqueta celebration
This is a significant moment in the Paqueta saga, as it was only on Saturday night when Fabrizio Romano reported Villa were advancing in talks to sign him in a big-money transfer. Romano claimed Villa were closing in on a loan-to-buy deal worth around £47 million.
Rather crucially, Romano said Paqueta was ‘keen on the move’ to Villa Park. Potter requested that West Ham held onto Paqueta but the midfielder himself was said to be interested in joining Unai Emery’s side.
That may not quite be as true as first thought, however, as Paqueta’s celebration against Forest speaks a thousand words. Never say never this late in the transfer window, but, if his celebration is anything to go by, it appears Paqueta will remain a West Ham player beyond the September 1 deadline.
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