Karren Brady makes huge Lucas Paqueta exit reveal after West Ham loss vs Sunderland
Lucas Paqueta has been linked with a move away from West Ham United this summer, and club vice-chairman Baroness Karren Brady has now addressed these rumours.
Paqueta has been cleared of all charges after a two-year-long investigation into alleged spot-fixing, which could have seen him banned from football globally.
West Ham fell to a woeful 3-0 defeat at Sunderland in their opening fixture, in which their lack of legs in midfield was exposed, and the lack of incoming transfers has caused frustration.
A potential exit for Paqueta could have allowed West Ham to reinvest in the squad, and Brady has now confirmed the decision the Hammers will take over the Brazilian.
West Ham will keep Paqueta this summer
The West Ham star was previously linked with Manchester City before his investigation, and Newcastle are also said to be keen on signing Paqueta.
However, the 27-year-old will be going nowhere, as Brady has now told talkSPORT that West Ham will not be selling him this summer.
“I think he wants to stay, and we definitely want him to stay, so he will be staying,” Brady responded when asked about Paqueta.
| Lucas Paqueta West Ham statistics | |
| Signed | August 2022 |
| Appearances | 120 |
| Goals | 18 |
Paqueta’s form for West Ham dipped last season with the investigation hanging over his head, but his first two seasons at the London Stadium showcased his true quality, and fans will now hope he can return to his best level.
Paqueta showed West Ham desire against Sunderland
While no West Ham player impressed in the defeat to Sunderland, Paqueta did not play like a man who has downed tools in his team.
Paqueta has now gone 64 consecutive Premier League games without an assist, but the desire to return to his best level is still clearly there.
The midfielder covered 10.7 kilometres against Sunderland, more than any of his other teammates, and 7.5km of this was running, rather than walking.
Clearly, he had a desire to work hard for his team despite being shot of confidence, in a side which struggled as a whole, and this is a small positive to take over his future in the fallout from the Sunderland defeat.
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