Lucas Paqueta travels with West Ham squad as happiness update emerges after Aston Villa bid rejected
Aston Villa failed with a loan-to-buy offer to sign Lucas Paqueta from West Ham before the transfer deadline.
The Brazilian midfielder was one of the standout creative forces in the Premier League during the first half of his time in East London.
But a spot-fixing charge was levied against the 28-year-old in 2023, which had a serious impact on the former Lyon man’s on-pitch performances.
Paqueta was found not guilty of his spot-fixing charges this summer, and he has scored twice in three games to begin the season.
But with West Ham in dire need of new additions to remedy their miserable start to the 2025/26 campaign, the ex-AC Milan midfielder has been linked with an exit from the London Stadium.
Lucas Paqueta happy at West Ham after Aston Villa bid rejected
As reported by The Athletic, Unai Emery is a “big admirer” of Paqueta and is keen for the Brazil international to make a move to Villa Park.
However, Aston Villa are working to be compliant with UEFA’s financial restrictions after receiving a fine earlier in the summer.
The Villains’ spending power is limited as a consequence, and West Ham were likely to request a “prohibitive” asking price to part ways with Paqueta.
The midfielder was not expected to join the Hammers’ squad for the trip to Nottingham Forest on Sunday, 31 August.
But following a rejected loan offer with an obligation to buy from Villa, the talented technician will join his teammates for their trip to the Midlands, and “there were no signs of Paqueta being unhappy in training”, according to The Guardian.
He is however understood to have “misgivings” about featuring in the match the day before the deadline, although Hammers sources have dismissed any suggestions he doesn’t want to play for Graham Potter in particular.
Lucas Paqueta can be the catalyst for West Ham relegation survival
Football Insider Verdict
Given his hot start to the season and previous on-pitch wizardry, it seems unfathomable that West Ham would be willing to sell Paqueta this summer.
The difference between Premier League survival and life in the Championship often boils down to one player, making one play, in one moment.
And that is exactly what you get with Paqueta. His performances have been poor, particularly last season, with the spot-fixing charges an unwelcome and lingering presence.
But despite the battering they received against Chelsea, the 28-year-old showed he can be there for his team come rain or shine.
Now with the clouds clearing from his FA charge, Potter should be doing all he can to retain Paqueta if he is serious about keeping West Ham out of the drop zone.