Stefan Borson: This is how much West Ham could accept for Lucas Paqueta
Lucas Paqueta has continuously been linked with a move away from West Ham in recent months.
Paqueta scored in West Ham’s 3-1 victory over Newcastle United on Sunday (2 November), bringing an end to their six-game run without a victory.
However, Nuno Espirito Santo’s side are still 18th in the Premier League table, three points behind Burnley after their disappointing start to the campaign.
There has been speculation around whether some of West Ham’s stars could look to quit in January in a potential blow to their hopes of beating the drop.
Paqueta has been linked with a West Ham exit in January, with Aston Villa believed to still retain an interest in the Brazil international.
West Ham could accept £50m Lucas Paqueta offer
Former Man City financial adviser Stefan Borson exclusively told Football Insider West Ham would be looking for around £50million to sell Paqueta.
It was confirmed in July Paqueta has been cleared of his spot-fixing charges after an independent regulatory commission found them to be “not proven” following a hearing earlier this year.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider before West Ham’s victory over Newcastle, Borson said: “Well, there’s two sides to it. First of all, he’s not playing brilliantly. Secondly, he’s got the situation out of the way, which is obviously very positive.
“So, that does clear things up and, clearly, he can deliver if his mind’s right at a new club, so that’s all great. But he’s a year older than when we looked at it, when some of these numbers were banded around.
“I don’t think the numbers are probably right, to be honest, the numbers that we’ve had in the past.”
It was previously reported Paqueta was close to joining Man City for £80m in the summer of 2023, but the move collapsed after news emerged of the FA’s investigation.
West Ham could be forced to agree cut-price Paqueta deal
Borson insisted it could be difficult for West Ham to receive a significant fee for Paqueta, who turned 28 in August.
“I think we’re going to get to a point where, in all likelihood, we’re looking at £50m, let’s say, but then there’s a very limited market for £50m players in January, so it’s a hard deal to do in January,” said Borson.
“Who would buy him for £50m in January? Who would buy him for £40m? It’s just not that kind of market for a player of his age.
“I do think the value’s come down, but I still possibly don’t think it’s going to have come down low enough to get a deal in January. I mean, you might be able to get it in the summer, but I think January is very hard.”
Paqueta has registered four goals in 11 appearances for West Ham so far this season.
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