Brazil unhappy with Lucas Paqueta investigation as confidence grows FA have nothing on exit-linked West Ham United star
Confidence is growing in Brazil that investigators are “struggling to link anything incriminating” to West Ham star Lucas Paqueta, according to the Daily Mail.
Kieran Gill reported via the paper’s website on 22 November that sources in South America had indicated the Brazilian Football Federation are growing “frustrated” with the speed of the FA investigation into betting connected to the Irons midfielder as they continue not to select him for the national team.
The Mail had reported the “painfully slow and secretive” inquest over three months ago (18 August), but despite having interviewed Paqueta in September and examined his phone in October the FA are reportedly “offering no indication” of the outcome still.
Paqueta saw an expected big-money move to Manchester City collapse in the wake of the news about the betting investigation but West Ham reportedly “realise they will be tested for their prized playmaker eventually, especially if this probe is no longer hanging over him” – he is believed to have an £85million release clause from next summer.
Dragging
Paqueta may be playing on for the Hammers but it presumably isn’t aiding him to have this matter hanging over his head throughout.
That said his performances didn’t seem to be suffering at the time it was made public, and he scored in the 3-2 win over Nottingham Forest before the international break.
The victory was badly needed as the team form has become far more patchy since a strong start to the campaign, and without a few more the club are at risk of being picked off for any of their prized stars in the next few windows.
Clearly Paqueta would prefer the FA to conclude their process and while Brazil are holding off using him so would they, but it might conversely be working in favour of West Ham if potential suitors are minded to stay away for now, with January now just around the corner.
Manchester City looked like they moved on from the Irons star when they bought Matheus Nunes for £53million on transfer deadline day [Sky Sports, 1 September].
But as the 26-year-old continues to stand out at the London Stadium it would be no shock for another suitor to emerge if and when his case is finally wrapped up.
It appears a lot less satisfying when it applies to someone whose business is conducted in the public eye but investigations often necessarily take time.
The fact that the FA aren’t providing information may prove to be a positive sign for the Brazilian but for now all he or the club can do is wait.
In other West Ham news, the Hammers are reported to like a former manager of a big six club amid a “near certainty” update on David Moyes’ future emerges.