West Ham ace Lucas Paqueta pre-match, Karren Brady and Unai Emery in circles.
(Credit: Imago)
Declan Carr
Mon 25 August 2025 11:40, UK
Lucas Paqueta has been linked with a West Ham exit throughout the summer transfer window.
The Brazilian playmaker looked set to move to Manchester City in an £80million deal in 2023, before a Football Association investigation into alleged betting activity scuppered those plans.
Paqueta has now been found innocent and can move on from the shadow that hung over his West Ham career for nearly two years and affected his form and mental health last season.
That may lead to interest in the West Ham star ramping up as the transfer deadline approaches, with Aston Villa fresh onto the scene.
West Ham star Lucas Paqueta's seasons.
Paqueta’s form was clearly affected by the hearing. (Credit: Imago)
Aston Villa enter race for West Ham star Lucas Paqueta
Paqueta has been linked with the likes of Newcastle and Tottenham already, and a new Premier League contender has emerged for his signature.
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A report from the print edition of the Daily Mail on 25 August (pg 59) claims that Aston Villa are interested in the 27-year-old.
However, the Hammers’ stance on selling Paqueta has already been made crystal clear.
Karren Brady essentially gave a hands-off warning to rival clubs when she made an appearance on talkSPORT on 17 August.
The Irons’ vice-chairwoman told hosts Shaun Custis and Henry Winter that the East London club did not plan to sell Paqueta, despite the interest in his services.
She said: “I think he wants to stay, and we definitely want him to stay. So the thing is, he’ll be staying.”
Lucas Paqueta is not leaving West Ham
That seems to settle things; it looks like Paqueta is going nowhere, and Unai Emery’s side will be forced to look elsewhere for an attacking midfield recruit.
Brady is known as a resolute businesswoman, and it would be a surprise if she went back on her word, especially when it involves a key player for the E20 outfit.
It would be a huge loss to the Hammers if another key player departed, after already selling Mohammed Kudus to Spurs earlier this summer.
Kudus may have had a down year, like Paqueta last season, but when he was on it, he was a menace down the flanks.
Hopefully, the Brazil star can now move on from transfer speculation and the charges and star for Graham Potter’s side on the pitch, rather than background drama affecting his mindset.
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