The family of West Ham star Lucas Paqueta appear to have given a telling insight into his future, with Newcastle and Man City both linked with a late window move.
Lucas Paqueta has been making headlines again this week as speculation reignites over a potential move away from West Ham – with Manchester City and Newcastle United eyeing the Brazilian.
The Hammers star is free to continue his career after being cleared of spot-fixing after a two-year saga which saw the collapse of an £80m move to Man City in August 2023.
That same summer newly-minted Newcastle United were also being linked with West Ham’s record signing after Eddie Howe had admitted his regret at missing out on Paqueta the summer before due to a lack of funds after signing Aleksander Isak.
Magpies and Man City circle Paqueta again
It is West Ham who are struggling to fund transfers this summer, with the Hammers board pleading poverty due to PSR.
In fact the situation was so bad West Ham were forced to sell Mohammed Kudus to bitter rivals Tottenham for a knockdown £54.5m just so they could make some additions.
Paqueta’s acquittal has resulted in fresh rumours about his future.
That’s understandable given he was in the process of being sold before the allegations against him emerged.
Pep Guardiola consoles Lucas Paqueta after a match in the wake of his collapsed move from West Ham to Man City
Photo by Sebastian Frej/MB Media/Getty Images
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The proposed move to Man City was so advanced it was even used as evidence by Paqueta’s defence during his hearing – which saw former boss David Moyes called to corroborate the claim.
West Ham’s pre-season matches have highlighted their desperate need for a midfield overhaul.
Paqueta was poor in West Ham’s game against Lille on Saturday and club insiders have stated he would be sold if a club met his £60-70m asking price.
Two Premier League rivals who do have that kind of money, are both reportedly planning late moves with three weeks left of the transfer window.
Reports at the time claimed Man City boss Pep Guardiola had told Paqueta he would wait for him to be cleared.
Paqueta’s family give Newcastle and Man City a clue about future
Paqueta’s camp previously described the move to Man City a “dream” before it collapsed – something that was repeated at the hearing by his legal team recently to show what the Hammers ace had missed out on.
Since the deliberate yellow card charges against Paqueta were found to be unproven, the Brazil international has thanked his loved ones for helping him through the most difficult time in his life.
Now the family of West Ham star Lucas Paqueta give Newcastle and Man City a big clue about his future.
A journalist claimed earlier this week that Man City ‘are not done yet’ and still want Paqueta.
It was stated that the Etihad side will offer West Ham Jack Grealish to try and lower the fee West Ham will accept.
This weekend Newcastle have come back into the equation too.
Lucas Paqueta in action for West Ham against Lille at the London Stadium during pre-season
Photo by Jacques Feeney/Offside/Offside via Getty Images
The Magpies are said to be planning an offer to West Ham for Paqueta in a bid to lift the mood around the club after missing out on a string of targets this summer.
Both Man City and Newcastle have Champions League football to offer Paqueta.
The Geordies also have the lure of Bruno Guimaraes, who is Paqueta’s best friend.
That’s a significant factor considering the Brazilian’s closest friend at West Ham, Emerson Palmieri, is on his way out of the club.
Clearly if Man City or Newcastle submit a bid that meets West Ham’s asking price, the move would be put in the hands of the player.
But his wife Duda Fournier and young children have made it clear where their heart is.
Paqueta’s wife and kids show their love for West Ham amid links
Taking to her Instagram Stories, Fournier posted a series of videos and pictures of herself and the children decked out in West Ham strips as they talked with Paqueta in the tunnel pre-match.
She captioned one of them ‘Come On You Irons’.
The kids put their hands on the Hammers badge and then walked out with their dad as mascots.
West Ham fans absolutely loved the fact Paqueta’s wife was rocking a retro West Ham shirt made famous by Paolo Di Canio.
Fournier has previously stated the family loves West Ham.
The fact Paqueta was on the verge of joining Man City previously means his future cannot be guaranteed just because he and his family love the club.
But it shows Newcastle and Guardiola will have their work cut out prising the Paquetas away from east London.