West Ham’s season has lurched from one disappointment to another.
Nineteenth in the Premier League, one win from nine, two managers, and a string of uninspired performances — it’s been a campaign defined by frustration and flatness.
The atmosphere at the London Stadium has grown increasingly toxic, but amid the gloom, Lucas Paquetá has been one of the few players to emerge with any credit.
After a turbulent year off the pitch, the Brazilian has rediscovered his spark — scoring three goals and often looking a class above those around him.
But despite his form, it now appears his future in east London could soon be over.
Paquetá Wants to Leave West Ham
West Ham United's Lucas Paqueta. (Reuters/Andrew Boyers)
West Ham United’s Lucas Paqueta. (Reuters/Andrew Boyers)
According to a new report from The Times, Lucas Paquetá — one of West Ham’s top earners on £150,000 per week — wants to leave the club as early as January.
The 28-year-old midfielder had hoped to secure a move to Aston Villa over the summer, shortly after being cleared of historic spot-fixing allegations.
However, West Ham reportedly blocked the transfer in the final days of the window, determined not to lose their star man without securing a replacement.
While the Hammers have previously been open to selling Paquetá, they are said to value him at around £60 million — a figure that would provide much-needed funds for Nuno Espírito Santo to reshape his struggling squad in January.
Paquetá’s boyhood club Flamengo have long been admirers, but a return to Brazil appears financially unrealistic given the player’s current wages and West Ham’s valuation.
For a side already short on creativity and confidence, losing their “maverick” mid-season would be devastating — and could prove the final blow in a campaign already teetering on the brink.