West Ham make emphatic Lucas Paqueta transfer decision amid blockbuster exit talk
Lucas Paqueta will be going nowhere this summer, according to West Ham vice-chair Karren Brady.
The Hammers playmaker has been linked with a move away from the London Stadium following the conclusion of the FA probe into alleged betting breaches.
Paqueta was cleared of serious betting allegations that could have seen him banned for life
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Paqueta was cleared of serious betting allegations that could have seen him banned for lifeCredit: Getty
Paqueta always denied the charges and was cleared by a hearing, who found the four charges ‘not proven’.
It took a huge toll on the Brazil international, who carried on playing while the allegations were investigated.
At one point last season he broke down in tears on the pitch.
Now that has been resolved, his future has been the subject of plenty of speculation.
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Man City are long-term admirers of the 27-year-old, while a return to his homeland has been mooted.
Joining Shaun Custis and Henry Winter on talkSPORT’s Sunday Edition, Brady said: “It’s been a really tough time for Lucas. It’s such a serious allegation and it was really hanging over him and the FA were going for a worldwide lifetime ban. So the seriousness of the situation was incredible.
“He was, from day one when the accusation was made, absolutely resolute in the fact that he had nothing to do with this.
“There was no evidence that he had anything to do with it. So it came as a real relief. But we always took the view that we completely believed in him.
“We stood right the way alongside him throughout the whole scenario. My advice to the manager and to him is just to carry on until we know any different. And that’s exactly what we did.”
When asked about his future, Brady added: “I think he wants to stay and we definitely want him to stay. So the thing is, he’ll be staying.”
Brady had an emphatic response to Paqueta sale links
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Brady had an emphatic response to Paqueta sale linksCredit: talkSPORT
Kudus sale
One player who did leave the Hammers this summer was Mohammed Kudus, who joined Tottenham for £55m.
He grabbed two assists on the opening day victory against Burnley, meanwhile West Ham were thrashed 3-0 by Sunderland.
Brady admitted that exits are inevitable, despite want to keep hold of players.
She added: “It’s always difficult to lose players that you want to keep. But the financial restraints and the PSR and all the rules and regulations in football mean that you have to do some trading.
“That’s just the way it is. All clubs are having to do it. You’re either restricted on what you can buy because you have to be careful of the financial rules or you have to sell to try and buy.
“So that was the decision that was made. He didn’t have a particularly good season for West Ham last year by his own standards. So we looked to move on.”
Kudus made an instant impact on his Tottenham debut
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Kudus made an instant impact on his Tottenham debutCredit: Getty
West Ham transfer incomings
As well as the Kudus exit, West Ham have signed El Hadji Malick Diouf, Mads Hermansen, Kyle Walker-Peters, and Callum Wilson.
However, there could be more incomings before the window shuts at the end of August.
Midfield could be a particular problem for the Hammers.
When asked if more pace was needed in midfield, Brady added: “I think that anyone would know that. The answer to that question is yes. And that’s what we’re working hard on doing.”
‘Potter sacked by September’ – West Ham fans explode after Sunderland mess
West Ham’s Graham Potter and David Sullivan
Credit: Hasan Karim – Breaking Media
Harri Burton
Sat 16 August 2025 18:03, UK
Graham Potter has only piled more pressure on himself after West Ham were thrashed by newly promoted Sunderland.
Despite a bright start to proceedings at the Stadium of Light on Saturday, the sides went into half-time even, with the Hammers holding the majority of possession but not being able to break the deadlock.
After finishing 14th in the Premier League last season, Potter was already under heavy pressure from the fanbase, with many expecting the head coach to have a visit from David Sullivan over the summer.
However, Football Insider revealed last month that West Ham would push financial regulations to help facilitate a rebuild, suggesting that the club are behind the former Brighton and Chelsea figure.
Graham Potter, West Ham
Graham Potter’s first season at West Ham. (Credit: Imago)
Sunderland pile pressure on West Ham boss
Just 90 minutes into the new season, though, and fans have stormed onto social media to make their feelings clear over Potter’s future in East London, and they are not very positive.
Eliezer Mayenda benefited from Mads Hermansen‘s poor goalkeeping, as did Wilson Isidor with the Black Cats’ third of the afternoon, sandwiching a smashing header from Man of the Match Dan Ballard.
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It marked Regis Le Bris’ first victory in the top flight, but during his time with the Hammers, it also marked Potter’s 10th defeat in 20 matches in charge since replacing Julen Lopetegui in January.
Some fans decided to give him the benefit of the doubt last season, with the bulk of the squad not able to adapt to his playing style, but there has been very little movement in the squad over the summer.
Graham Potter already compared to Julen Lopetegui
With Guido Rodriguez, Edson Alvarez, Konstantinos Mavropanos, and Nayef Aguerd all still in the squad, there is plenty of deadwood left in the squad.
Nonetheless, the manager is at fault for his tactics and decisions on the pitch, and one supporter has labelled him the “English Lopetegui” following the Spaniard’s incredibly poor reign in East London.
Various fans predicted when Potter will be fired, with claims ranging from “by Christmas”, through “by November”, up to “by September”.
Potter will be gone by Christmas aswell
— will earle (@willearle_) August 16, 2025
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I’m not even being reactionary that is genuinely pathetic. Embarrassing to all the travelling fans.
— Nathan Jones (@ninkjones02) August 16, 2025
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Im struggling to see what Graham Potter has brought to West Ham since he’s been there, guys a fraud, the English Lopetegui………..
— 🏴 Martyn 🏴 (@martyn_wooles) August 16, 2025
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How bad are West Ham? Potter sacked by september
— Rwild (@rwildTT) August 16, 2025
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I’m sorry but this loss is on Graham Potter. We won’t beat Chelsea next week… #WHUFC
— Sophie (@SophieShipton_) August 16, 2025
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Graham Potter will be the first manager to go
— W O N D E R (@FPLWonder) August 16, 2025
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That goal felt inevitable, potters set up doesn’t allow for anyone to get up. The midfield is just not even present… I’m absolutely not convinced by potter or his tactics for West Ham, it just doesn’t feel like he’s going to do anything other than get us in a relegation battle.
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