Lucas Paqueta’s reunion with David Moyes, the man who signed him for West Ham, could be his last Hammers News can confirm.
Hammers News exclusive
West Ham head to Everton on Saturday for what is being dubbed the David Moyes derby.
The Hammers have Lucas Paqueta back fit.
And they will need him starting against Everton if West Ham’s uninspired performance against Newcastle is anything to go by.
Moyes has been doing a superb job back at Everton after he and the Hammers parted ways at the end of last season.
West Ham are already on their second manager since then having sacked Julen Lopetegui.
His replacement, Graham Potter, was Everton’s number one target to replace Sean Dyche.
New Paqueta subplot as West Ham face Everton
But West Ham beat the Toffees to Potter’s signature.
Now Potter and Moyes meet in Goodison Park dugouts in one of many subplots to the fixture.
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None bigger than the that which is emerging from east London today.
Brazilian magnifico has had to toughen up a lot since joining the Hammers from Lyon for a record £51m.
Moyes played a big part in that process, making sure Paqueta worked hard for the team first before indulging in his Samba skills.
Paqueta has credited Moyes with helping him after allegations of spot fixing first emerged against him in the summer of 2023.
West Ham’s midfield playmaker looked set for a big money move to Man City having set up the goal which won the club’s first trophy for 43 years.
Photo by IAN KINGTON/IKIMAGES/AFP via Getty Images
Photo by IAN KINGTON/IKIMAGES/AFP via Getty Images
Everton may be Paqueta’s last game for West Ham
Moyes has since confirmed that West Ham were going to get Cole Palmer as part of Paqueta joining Man City.
Paqueta was formally charged last year.
Last week it was announced Paqueta’s trial for the illegal betting case would be heard this month.
Now it transpires Everton may be Paqueta’s last game for West Ham as major news is confirmed.
A three-person panel will decide the fate of the Brazil international.
The trial will last three weeks and is set to be one of the longest of its kind in Football Association history.
West Ham were rocked by the FA’s Paqueta stance ahead of the trial.
That’s after it was reported the FA are now pushing hard to have the West Ham man banned from football for life.
The FA, headed up by CEO Mark Bullingham, has declined to comment. West Ham have also been tight-lipped.
Paqueta himself has maintained his innocence.
Speaking via journalist Kaveh Solhekol last week, Paqueta said he won’t rest until he has cleared his name.
It was then revealed Paqueta has called in a legal big gun to fight his corner against the FA.
There has now been a huge update.
Photo by Charlotte Wilson/Offside/Offside via Getty Images
Photo by Charlotte Wilson/Offside/Offside via Getty Images
Major news confirmed as Paqueta trial starts Monday
Now Hammers News can confirm Paqueta’s big trial will begin on Monday.
A top spokesman for West Ham’s owners and a city source have both confirmed to Hammers News that the trial will get underway on Monday.
It means Paqueta will be available for West Ham’s trip to face Moyes’ Everton.
He has been left out of the Brazil squad for the two-week international break that follows that game.
Now we know why.
Because the trial starts Monday according to the Hammers News sources.
No insurance against worst case Paqueta scenario say West Ham
Three weeks have been set aside for the case. But the full three weeks may not be required.
That means that should a worst case scenario play out and Paqueta is banned, the Everton clash may be the last time he is seen in West Ham colours.
Or indeed on a football pitch at a professional level ever again.
The Hammers will of course hope that is not the case and Paqueta is absolved.
If the panel find against the 27-year-old, though, he may be facing the reality his career is over before West Ham face Wolves on April 1.
Worse still, if West Ham do lose what is a £20m asset, there is no insurance covering such an eventuality.
“Paqueta’s trial starts on Monday,” a senior London Stadium source told Hammers News.
“You can’t insure against a player committing any act that gets him banned.”