Lucas Paqueta’s camp have responded to new claims that the Brazilian is in talks to leave West Ham in the January transfer window.
Aston Villa were pushing to sign Lucas Paqueta from West Ham before the summer transfer window closed.
It was a move the Brazilian magnifico was said to be open to according to transfer reporter Fabrizio Romano.
But Paqueta produced that memorable celebration to confirm he was staying at West Ham in the 3-0 win at Forest.
Hammers fans loved it when they saw Paqueta mimic taking a phone call before hanging up and tossing the imaginary handset away, wagging his finger saying ‘no’ and then kissing the West Ham badge in front of the travelling fans at the City Ground.
Paqueta announced this is his last season at West Ham
The euphoria around his declaration to stay at West Ham was short-lived, though.
Because last month Paqueta caused a stir with a major announcement on his Hammers future.
The Brazil international took to social media with an emotional statement to announce this would be his final season at West Ham.
Paqueta still has another year left on his West Ham contract at the end of the season.
The deal runs until 2027 but actually even includes an option for a further year.
Paqueta confirmed he won’t be seeing it out, though, saying this will be his final season at West Ham.
But fresh claims have emerged he could depart the London Stadium even sooner.
Now Paqueta’s camp have responded to a new claim he is in talks to leave West Ham in January.
A source close to the player has made their stance very clear on the rumours, using Erling Haaland as an example.
Paqueta’s camp respond to claim he’s in talks to leave West Ham
There have long been rumours Paqueta and his family want to return to Brazil after he was cleared in his two-year spot-fixing case ordeal.
The likes of Botafogo and Paqueta’s boyhood – and first – club Flamengo have been heavily linked.
Now Brazilian media outlet BolaVIP claims Flamengo’s technical director Jose Boto is pushing to lure West Ham’s record £51m signing Paqueta back home in January.
The report claims that Boto has been in ‘constant dialogue’ with the midfielder’s representatives and is ‘determined to make the emotional reunion happen’.
Given West Ham’s Premier League survival is on the line and it is highly unlikely they would be able to sign a player anywhere near as talented to replace him, the latest Paqueta claims are deeply concerning.
Now Paqueta’s people have responded to the new rumours there have been talks for him to leave the Hammers in January.
Prominent Hammers insider Sean Whetstone has revealed a top source close to Paqueta has responded when the speculation from Brazil was put to them.
And in a sweary and emphatic response, the source says the claim is comparable to saying Erling Haaland will be joining West Ham on loan.
“The latest reports that Lucas Paqueta will be returning to Brazil this winter have been completely rubbished by a transfer source close to the player,” Whetstone said on X.
‘You might as well say Haaland is joining West Ham’
“Yet again, Brazilian press outlet Bolavip have reported Flamengo’s pursuit of their former player, but the transfer source laughed off the suggestion as ridiculous and having no element of reality.
“Paqueta, who graduated from Flamengo’s youth ranks, made 60 senior appearances for the Brazilian club, scoring 15 goals before his move to Milan in 2019 for €38.4m (£35m).
“A transfer source close to the player said: “It’s total b——-. You might as well say Haaland is going to West Ham on loan.”
This will come as a major relief to everyone connected with the Hammers.
Paqueta has started the new season well and his workrate has jumped markedly since Nuno Espirito Santo’s arrival.
After the backing West Ham and the club’s fans gave the Brazilian during his case, staying at the London Stadium to help secure safety is the least the £150k-per-week star can do for the Hammers.
