Bruno Guimaraes wants to play with Lucas Paqueta as emotional message sent to exit-linked West Ham star
Bruno Guimaraes has issued an emotional message to Lucas Paqueta admitting that he hopes they can play together at club level again as the latter potentially faces a West Ham exit before the deadline.
The pair played together at French giants Lyon between 2020 and 2022, and have maintained a close relationship since by partnering each other in midfield for Brazil over 20 times.
Both players departed the Ligue 1 side to join Premier League clubs three years ago, and while Guimaraes is still thriving at Newcastle to this day, Paqueta has had a rocky time at West Ham recently.
Paqueta’s future at West Ham has been uncertain over the last few months, despite him being cleared of spot-fixing charges [BBC], and the club’s poor start to the new season is bound to raise questions of where his future could lie.
Football Insider revealed on 11 August that Man City and a number of Saudi Pro League and Brazilian clubs are interested in Paqueta, so he could leave soon with the transfer window closing next Monday (1 September).
Bruno Guimaraes sends birthday message to Lucas Paqueta
Tottenham are also reportedly interested in Paqueta, and he may well be sold on before the deadline after struggling to make much of a positive impact last season.
Newcastle meanwhile have been through all sorts of transfer disappointments this summer, and suffered possible injury blows to a pair of midfielders in Sandro Tonali and Joelinton this week.
He celebrated his 28th birthday on Wednesday (27 August), and was sent a heartfelt message by close friend and international teammate Guimaraes, who posted a picture of the pair after they played against each other for their respective sides with a long caption.
When translated to English, one part of his message read: “Thank God for you life and for your family (who) I consider mine,” while another part said: “I miss the day-to-day and hope that one day we can experience it again.”
West Ham must keep Lucas Paqueta amid their early-season struggles
Football Insider verdict
Paqueta’s on-field talents have been overshadowed by his troubles away from the pitch in recent times, after he was charged with four counts of spot-fixing and two of obstructing an FA investigation [Sky Sports] in May 2024.
Now that he has been officially cleared and can move on with his career without worry in that regard, the Hammers should back him and make sure that he stays with the club beyond the end of next week’s deadline.
| Appearances | Goals | Assists |
| 123 | 20 | 14 |
His superb strike against Chelsea on Friday (22 August) proved his obvious quality, while he also headed Graham Potter’s side into the lead against Wolves on Tuesday (26 August), and so is already their top scorer in all competitions after just three outings.
Under-pressure boss Potter needs all the help he can get right now after a terrible start to the new campaign, and keeping a player of the Brazilian’s talent is a no-brainer, but he now needs to step up to become a consistent talisman once again and return to his outstanding form from the 2023/24 season.