West Ham have opened talks with Arsenal as they make a contingency plan to replace Lucas Paqueta, with the Brazilian star most likely to join Aston Villa if he departs the Hammers.
The West Ham board are now fully braced for Lucas Paqueta to leave if Aston Villa up their offer to meet their asking price.
Arsenal could provide the answer, although West Ham fans may not be enthralled by the plan.
The Hammers have confirmed that Lucas Paqueta is refusing to play at Nottingham Forest.
Last week West Ham’s owners revealed Aston Villa, Spurs and two Saudi clubs want Paqueta.
Up to now Aston Villa have not met the Irons’ valuation, which is believed to be between £50-60m.
Aston Villa move most likely for wantaway Paqueta
But Villa do have funds after selling former West Ham target Jacob Ramsey and their women’s team.
The Hammers’ hierarchy have revealed Paqueta’s stance on playing at Forest is part of a move by the Brazilian and others to ‘bully their way out on the cheap’.
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West Ham insist that won’t be happening.
The Hammers are making contingency plans should Aston Villa increase their offer, though.
Now West Ham have turned to Arsenal for a Paqueta replacement with an Aston Villa move most likely.
Hammers News understands joining former Gunners boss Unai Emery wants Paqueta and that Villa is looking the most realistic outcome if he leaves West Ham before Monday’s 7pm deadline.
There are no guarantees the deal will happen, with the Hammers happy to snub unsatisfactory offers from Villa and keep Paqueta in east London.
Lucas Paqueta scores from long range in West Ham's Premier League defeat to Chelsea
Photo by Sebastian Frej/MB Media/Getty Images
But West Ham have been planning for Paqueta’s possible departure with eyes turning to Arsenal.
The Hammers and Gunners last did business when Declan Rice left the London Stadium for The Emirates two years ago in a £105m deal.
Now West Ham have approached Arsenal about replacing Paqueta with lightweight flop Fábio Vieira.
Hammers News reported on West Ham’s interest in Arsenal midfielder Vieira at the end of last month.
There was no lack of irony to the links given Rice pushed Vieira further down the Arsenal pecking order and he has been surplus to Mikel Arteta’s requirements ever since.
West Ham turn to Arsenal for potential Paqueta replacement
Now with Aston Villa circling Paqueta, West Ham have entered the running for Vieira, as confirmed by Sky Sports journalist Florian Plettenberg.
Vieira is set for an Arsenal exit before deadline day according to the German journalist.
Revealing that VfB Stuttgart and another top Bundesliga side are in for Vieira, Plettenberg has confirmed West Ham want him too.
🚨⚒️ Understand West Ham have entered the race for Fábio #Vieira!
Departure before Deadline Day is still planned. VfB Stuttgart also admire the versatile Portuguese midfielder from Arsenal, but he’s currently too expensive.
Another top Bundesliga club playing in the Champions… pic.twitter.com/TjjlcCLRdI
— Florian Plettenberg (@Plettigoal) August 30, 2025
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West Ham have launched into a flurry of transfer bids this week following a dreadful start to the season.
The Hammers have spent £60m on Soungoutou Magassa and Mateus Fernandes.
Fabio Vieira celebrates during Arsenal FC v FK Bodo/Glimt: Group A - UEFA Europa League
Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images
That has prompted many to believe Paqueta is on his way out given West Ham were pleading poverty until links to Aston Villa and others intensified this week.
Graham Potter is also being linked with moves for another goalkeeper and midfielder, a centre-back and a striker.
But further signings will only be possible if funded by departures.
If Paqueta does leave then eyebrows will be raised if Vieira is the player Potter chooses to bring in to fill the void.
Paqueta’s statistics have been terrible over the last 19 months with one assist in nearly 50 games.
The 28-year-old has started the season in decent form, though, with two goals.
Although Paqueta has also cost his side with poor marking at Sunderland gifting the Black Cats a goal and brainless play vs Chelsea laying two goals on a plate in a 5-1 defeat.
Vieira has completely flopped in the Premier League.
Vieira was bombed out back on loan to former club Porto last season where he scored five goals and laid on six assists in 42 appearances.
On the ball, Vieira would undoubtedly be a big improvement on some of West Ham’s current midfield options such as James Ward-Prowse, Tomas Soucek and Guido Rodriguez.
But having signed dynamic duo Magassa and Fernandes, perhaps Potter feels the team is more capable of supporting a lightweight player like Vieira.
Arsenal paid nearly £30m for Vieira but would surely struggle to command even half that from West Ham.