Credit: Imago

Josh Edwards

Wed 23 April 2025 16:10, UK

Lucas Paqueta’s future at West Ham remains up in the air, and will do so until the summer transfer window.

West Ham’s season looks likely to end with a whimper, and the Irons will have a remarkable amount of work to do in the summer if they are to avoid a repeat of that next campaign.

First and foremost, a decision will have to be made on the future of Graham Potter, who is yet to showcase his value to the Hammers. Only then will recruitment plans be initiated.

With that in mind, West Ham will have already identified several targets, and one of those could lead to the exit of Paqueta.

West Ham eye deal to sign Chelsea forward

Man City remain interested in signing Paqueta this summer, though they may have to await the decision of the Brazilian’s trial, in which he has denied any wrongdoing.

However, West Ham have since been linked with a move for Joao Felix on loan from Chelsea, and given that he is a player of a very similar profile to Paqueta, it seems as though they may already be planning for his exit.

Paqueta has received a lot of criticism for his performances this season, and perhaps more so for the attempts to con referees every time he steps onto the pitch, and an exit may suit all parties.

With that said, unless a deal for Felix can be struck, it’s unlikely that the Irons will sanction an exit for Paqueta until they have a replacement through the door.

West Ham have no margin for error this summer

West Ham’s regression has left a sour taste in the mouths of many, and unless recruitment improves this summer, that failure will be replicated.

It is imperative that the Irons address the weaknesses in the squad while finding a style of play that suits the strengths of those who will still be here next season.

That last task will be entirely down to Potter, who has a lot of work to do in the next few months to repay the faith that West Ham showed in him when appointing him at the start of the year.