Graham Potter has been forced into emergency talks with the West Ham board and Lucas Paqueta amid the threat of an imminent bid from Newcastle United, with Fabrizio Romano making a fresh claim on the Brazilian’s future.
West Ham were rocked on the eve of the new season when Fabrizio Romano made a shock claim about Newcastle target Lucas Paqueta.
After standing by the Brazilian during his two-year spot-fixing saga, Paqueta looked set to stay at West Ham and finally play with a clear mind.
The Hammers, who by Eddie Howe’s own admission beat Newcastle to Paqueta back in 2022, were hoping their £51m record signing might get back to something like his best form this season with the FA case finally behind him.
Hammers rocked by Paqueta news on eve of Sunderland shambles
West Ham’s board slapped a £60-70m price tag on Paqueta’s head but desperate Newcastle have been heavily linked again, as have Man City.
The big concern is that the Hammers need money to make signings and if any club can afford it after a summer of misses in the transfer market, it is Newcastle.
It was claimed the Magpies are planning an official bid to West Ham for Paqueta in a bid to lift the mood around the club.
Newcastle also have Champions League football to offer Paqueta and the lure of a reunion with best friend Bruno Guimaraes.
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That’s a particularly significant factor considering the Brazilian’s closest friend at West Ham, Emerson Palmieri, has been completely ostracised by Graham Potter and is on his way out of the club.
Rumours have gathered pace that Newcastle are ready to launch a move.
The Hammers were then rocked the night before their season opener with Newcastle’s arch rivals Sunderland when transfer reporter Romano told the world Paqueta wanted a fresh challenge.
The news – and the timing of it – did not go down well with West Ham fans.
Potter holds emergency talks with board and Paqueta after Newcastle links
Especially having suffered Paqueta’s terrible form of the last two years and stood by him during his darkest hour.
That form continued as West Ham were beaten 3-0 by newly-promoted Sunderland in shambolic and worrying scenes.
The performance and result crystalised the feeling that West Ham are going to be in a season-long relegation battle.
So the prospect of losing Paqueta to Newcastle late in the window too is a daunting one.
West Ham head coach Graham Potter and striker Niclas Fullkrug leave the pitch dejected after defeat to Sunderland
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Now Potter has held emergency talks with the West Ham board and Paqueta amid the Newcastle links after a fresh Romano claim.
Paqueta’s family seemed to make their feelings clear about West Ham last week when the new rumours of Newcastle’s interest emerged.
Now Romano has delivered a new update on the Paqueta situation in the wake of West Ham’s opening day humbling.
The transfer reporter has confirmed ‘Paqueta has been considering proposals from other clubs for weeks’.
Romano says Potter has issued plea to owners and Paqueta
But Potter has held emergency talks with the club’s owners and the player himself and made it clear he wants him to stay.
“Graham Potter has made clear with West Ham his desire to keep Lucas Paqueta,” Romano said in an update during the early hours of the morning after the 3-0 defeat to Sunderland.
“Potter also spoke to the player as he’s been considering proposals for weeks, full trust from the West Ham manager.”
🚨⚒️ Graham Potter has made clear with West Ham his desire to keep Lucas Paquetá.
Potter also spoke to the player as he’s been considering proposals for weeks, full trust from #WHUFC manager. pic.twitter.com/86r3OOJXh2
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) August 17, 2025
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That sounds a lot more encouraging for West Ham.
But the big worry is that if Newcastle come knocking late in the window, the board would pocket the money and fail to adequately replace one of their few remaining quality players.
Although Paqueta was poor at Sunderland, offering little as West Ham were embarrassed in their heaviest defeat yet under Potter, who finds himself under pressure again ahead of a clash with former club Chelsea next.