Lucas Paquetá has broken his silence after Fabrizio Romano claimed the West Ham playmaker wants to quit the London Stadium for Aston Villa.
The Brazilian’s response will be closely analysed by fans of both the Hammers and Villa and could prove decisive in what promises to be one of deadline day’s biggest transfer stories.
Aston Villa have been pushing all week to strike a deal for West Ham’s record £51m signing Lucas Paqueta, with Spurs and two Saudi sides also hovering.
Tottenham have signed Xavi Simons and have therefore cooled their interest while Hammers News understands Paqueta has no interest in moving to Saudi.
West Ham and Villa talks over Paqueta to dominate deadline day
West Ham’s hierarchy publicly admitted the 28-year-old is the subject of serious interest from Aston Villa.
But the Hammers board have accused Paqueta of trying to engineer a move to Villa Park “on the cheap” using “bully” tactics.
West Ham continue to insist no agreement has been reached with cash-strapped Aston Villa, who have made a loan with obligation offer totalling around £47m.
Transfer reporter Fabrizio Romano has been at the centre of the Paqueta saga, initially posting his trademark “here we go” on Instagram, stating Paquetá was on his way to Villa Park.
But the post was deleted within hours following fury from West Ham’s board — and no shortage of backlash from supporters.
The self-styled transfer guru later toned down his wording on X, instead teasing that an Aston Villa “here we go” is “expected soon” on Paqueta leaving the Hammers.
Romano also stressed that Paquetá had already said yes to Villa’s project.
The change in tone was seen by many fans of both clubs as Romano backtracking having jumped the gun.
Paqueta responds to Romano claim he wants to leave West Ham for Villa
Now Paqueta has responded to Romano’s claim he wants to leave West Ham for Aston Villa.
With claim and counter claim from all manner of sources, what is Paqueta saying about his Hammers future?
It was reported Paqueta would prefer not to play at Nottingham Forest while his future is in the balance.
Nayef Aguerd has refused to play, as he looks to push through a move to Marseille.
Now Paqueta himself has made an obvious move to address the rumours around his future.
Paqueta makes it clear he is not refusing to play for West Ham
Paquetá has posted on Instagram in the wake of Romano’s claim that he wants to leave for Aston Villa, making his position clear.
Taking to his Instagram Stories, Paqueta – who deliberately pulled at the West Ham badge on his shirt after goals against Chelsea and Wolves – has posted a picture of himself celebrating passionately in a West Ham shirt.
The image is also a preview for West Ham’s clash with Nottingham Forest, with the City Ground in the background.
It is a clear message to West Ham fans and Romano from Paqueta that he will be playing and is not pushing to leave.
Whether that is true only he, the Hammers and Aston Villa will truly know.
The response may do little to calm the storm around the Brazilian going into deadline day.
Opinion is split over the truth behind the situation with some West Ham supporters believing the club are deliberately framing Paquetá as agitating for a move in order to justify cashing in late in the window.
Especially as there would be little chance of securing a proper replacement, thus West Ham banking the money.
Others are convinced Romano is simply being fed information by Paquetá’s people to help force through a move and is merely trying to protect himself from a backlash by putting the post out.
Either way, the situation could get very messy, very quickly.
With West Ham facing Nottingham Forest and Villa clashing with Crystal Palace this weekend, all eyes will be on whether Paquetá features.
By Monday at 7pm, supporters will know the truth: whether their number 10 is staying in east London, or if he really is set to walk away for Villa Park.
