‘I’m amazed by this’ – West Ham’s Lucas Paqueta transfer decision is inexplicable
West Ham have been slammed for making a crazy decision about Lucas Paqueta’s future at the club.
The Brazilian could be set to leave East London this summer, following the conclusion of his spot-fixing case.
Paqueta was facing a lifetime ban from the FA, but has now been officially cleared of all charges.
West Ham could accept offers of £30million for the 27-year-old, with sides in the Saudi Pro League believed to be lining up bids.
Everton’s former chief Keith Wyness – who served as CEO at Goodison Park between 2004 and 2009 and now runs a football consultancy advising elite clubs – believes Paqueta’s price tag is far too low, and that the Hammers are making a mistake.
‘West Ham must know something we don’t about Paqueta’
Speaking on the new edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, Wyness insisted that there must be something going on behind the scenes involving Paqueta if West Ham are so desperate to get rid of him.
Last season, the midfielder started 27 games for the Hammers in the Premier League, scoring four goals across the course of the campaign.
Wyness added that if he were in charge, he would keep Paqueta until January and see if he can find some form.
He told Football Insider‘s Inside Track podcast: “With Paqueta, I am amazed that straight away they’re saying he can go for about £30m. I didn’t understand that at all.
“I thought you’d want to keep him. He’s such a good player. I know he’s been through a traumatic situation and maybe he wants to get away from West Ham, but he’s worth more than £30m, I’d have thought.
“I mean, we’re talking interest from City at £80m not long ago. So I’d have thought maybe play him until January, let him get some form back, and then sell him in the January window for an enhanced amount.
“I don’t see why Potter wouldn’t want him unless something’s gone on. We don’t know what’s going on in the off-season. We don’t know what his mental state is. All those things. I understand that. So maybe it is best to part ways, but it still seems to me a very low cut price.
“There must be something else that I’m not aware of causing West Ham to accept that sort of deal.”
Liverpool and West Ham in crowded race for striker
Meanwhile, Football Insider has exclusively revealed that Liverpool and West Ham are among clubs to have made enquiries for Metz sensation Idrissa Gueye.
Sunderland, Crystal Palace, Brighton, Southampton, and Ipswich have also enquired about the young striker.
The 18-year-old Senegalese forward is one of the hottest properties in Europe and is attracting interest from clubs across all the top leagues.
German duo Borussia Dortmund and Eintracht Frankfurt have shown an interest in the young striker who made 17 Ligue 2 appearances for Metz last season, scoring six times.
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