West Ham United offered £13m for Lucas Paqueta, officials jetting in
West Ham United have already turned down a £13million bid from Flamengo for Lucas Paqueta, according to Globo.
The Brazilian outlet reported [17 July] that the immediate refusal is not a concern, with Flamengo wanting to ensure the negotiation goes further than just an enquiry.
It is understood that Paqueta’s in-person participation is seen as fundamental, with the player still on holiday, and the club’s officials are waiting for a green light to jet into London for face-to-face talks.
West Ham United brace for Lucas Paqueta exit
With the Brazilian side putting all their cards on the table, it is clear that Paqueta’s exit could become a reality this summer – a massive disappointment for everyone involved at West Ham.
It is also understood that the 26-year-old is open to a move away from the London Stadium despite being one of the most prized players at Julen Lopetegui’s disposal ahead of next season [Vene Casagrande].
However, The FA’s ongoing investigation into Paqueta’s alleged betting breaches have put a spanner in the works for the player’s future in England, and the Irons could stay ahead of the curve.
If the worst were to happen and Paqueta was handed a lifetime ban, the club would be unable to make back any money from the £51million club-record transfer fee [Sky Sports].
While a sale now would still see a significant loss on Paqueta, which will sting after the links to Manchester City last summer, it is certainly better than losing him for free.
Of course, nobody can be sure what will happen with the investigation yet, but it is a worrying sign for the Hammers ahead of the 2024/25 campaign.
Paqueta’s exit would be a huge blow. Lopetegui would certainly need to find someone from the transfer market to fill his boots, though this would not be a simple task this summer.
In other West Ham news, the Hammers have launched a £29million bid for a player after his Euro 2024 displays.
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