West Ham will struggle to sell Lucas Paqueta amid latest Flamengo development
Dan Bardell believes it will be difficult for West Ham to sell Lucas Paqueta amid his uncertain situation.
Globo reported on 17 July that the Hammers had rejected a £13 million offer from Flamengo for the Brazil international.
Any deal is likely to have complications with The FA charging the 26-year-old with four alleged breaches of the betting rules between November 2022 and August 2023.
Sky Sports and talkSPORT journalist Bardell understands why a bid was rejected amid the uncertainty of a potential punishment.
Speaking exclusively to West Ham Zone, Bardell said: “Paqueta is going to be a difficult one to deal with this summer.
“If Flamengo are looking to sign him that isn’t going to be a big enough fee. I can understand why West Ham have moved on from that one.
“It’ll be very difficult for the club to move with a deal for him with the level of uncertainty. I am surprised that there is anyone interested at all with what is potentially going to happen.“
West Ham will struggle to sell Lucas Paqueta
The Hammers are going to have to prepare for life without Paqueta but it remains unclear whether a ban or other punishment will be brandished.
Now it appears that the Brazilian will be available for the majority of the upcoming Premier League season [The Times].
This could prove to be the boost that Julen Lopetegui needs ahead of his debut season at the London Stadium after plenty of uncertainty.
Realistically, bids of £13m from Flamengo were never going to test the Hammers’ resolve but a sale could have been used to shift the problem elsewhere.
Paqueta looks to be here to stay and will play a role next season which can only be a positive for the club regardless of the potential charges.
In other West Ham news, a Fulham twist has emerged in the Hammers’ bid to sign Crysencio Summerville from Leeds United.
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