After West Ham announced David Moyes will leave the London Stadium this summer, one player wants to follow him out of east London.
The Hammers are set for a busy summer as Tim Steiden prepares to welcome Julen Lopetegui to east London, and work alongside the Spaniard on recruitment.
A lot needs to happen in order to lift the mood at West Ham after a run of six games without a win – although a rumour now coming from the London Stadium won’t do much to improve the atmosphere…
Lucas Paqueta wants to leave West Ham
A story from Give Me Sport now claims that Lucas Paqueta wants to follow David Moyes out of West Ham.
It is said that the Brazil international is desperate to join Manchester City this summer, after seeing a proposed £80m move to the Etihad Stadium scuppered in 2023 due to an investigation over alleged betting breaches.
Give Me Sport believe Pep Guardiola’s side are now ready to resurrect their interest after Paqueta was given the all clear, and those at West Ham are said to be resigned to losing the South American.
The £130,000-a-week playmaker is believed to be determined to play alongside Erling Haaland and Kevin De Bruyne.
Furthermore, Give Me Sport add that Guardiola’s admiration for Paqueta has never gone away, despite initially dropping interest following the betting allegations – the pair even enjoyed a hug before Manchester City’s 3-1 Premier League win over West Ham in September.
The West Ham No.10 has enjoyed a strong season after seeing his move to the Etihad Stadium collapse in 2023, scoring eight goals – while also providing seven assists – in 41 appearances across all competitions.
Time for a new era
If Paqueta does not want to stay at West Ham, he should be allowed to leave.
The last thing Lopetegui needs after replacing Moyes is an uncommitted player, one unwilling to buy into the new project, so the expected £80m from his potential sale should be put towards signings who actually want to play under the Spaniard.
One rumoured target is Brentford No.17 Ivan Toney – which would be a fine way to kick off the summer transfer window for Steiden.
Only Erling Haaland and Harry Kane outdid the England international’s tally of 20 Premier League goals last season, while his 2023/24 campaign was disrupted by a ban for breaching gambling rules.
Hopefully, West Ham do not turn the Paqueta situation into a messy one – if the Brazilian doesn’t want to be at the London Stadium, Lopetegui shouldn’t even be keen to keep him.
