Real reason why Lucas Paqueta wants to quit West Ham United as ‘golden number’ emerges
Lucas Paqueta wants to leave West Ham because he doesn’t enjoy playing for the club, according to Graeme Bailey.
The TEAMtalk journalist said on 10 August that the Brazilian international is looking into a move away from the Hammers after Manchester City have expressed an interest in signing him.
Bailey added that the 25-year-old wants to play Champions League football, which a switch to the Premier League champions this summer would offer him.
“I can confirm that sources close to the player admit that a move away from West Ham is something very much Paqueta is looking at,” said Bailey.
“There is no beating around the bush, Paqueta does not enjoy playing for West Ham. The belief within the club is that Paqueta inspired their Europa Conference League win at the end of last season in spite of David Moyes, rather than because of him.
“Paqueta wants Champions League football ideally. He is a starter with Brazil and he believes he is capable of much more. Man City have now held talks over a deal for Paqueta and while West Ham don’t want to sell, the feeling within the club is that if someone gets close to £80million, that could be the price.”
Hard to believe
It may be true that Paqueta is tempted or even wants to make the move to Manchester City, but Bailey’s other claims seem hard to believe.
After talkSPORT journalist Alex Crook reported on 1 August that the midfielder was “unhappy” at the club, he responded on his personal Twitter account to say that was “fake news”.
The Brazilian has spoken previously about how much he enjoys playing in front of the fans at the London Stadium and was delighted when the club won the Europa Conference League.
It’s a fact that most players would want to join Man City and play Champions League football under Pep Guardiola, but it’s unlikely Paqueta would be as disrespectful to the Hammers as Bailey claims.
This is a situation that is likely to rumble on for at least a few more days, as the Citizens decide whether or not to reach our valuation of the player.
In other West Ham news, one player is due to have his medical ahead of a move to the London Stadium.