West Ham ‘could accept Lucas Paqueta offer’ after Nuno Espirito Santo decision
West Ham are prepared to let Lucas Paqueta leave in the January transfer window should an offer arrive despite blocking his exit in the summer.
That is according to former West Ham and Man United senior scout Mick Brown, who remains very well-connected at his previous clubs, as he exclusively told Football Insider that Nuno Espirito Santo has not been impressed with the 28-year-old.
West Ham lost 1-0 to Fulham last time out, leaving them at risk of being cut adrift in the relegation zone, with five points separating them from Nottingham Forest.
Their dismal league season so far has led to frustrations about key players not pulling their weight, with Paqueta chief among those.
This comes after Football Insider revealed on 2 December that Paqueta could leave West Ham with a number of clubs keeping a close eye on his situation.
West Ham could accept Lucas Paqueta offer
Brown told Football Insider earlier this month that West Ham are considering Paqueta’s future after his sending off during their defeat to Liverpool.
The former scout, who has a wealth of experience in top-level player recruitment after over a decade at Man United during their most successful period, insisted that frustrations surrounding the Brazilian’s performances have only grown.
“Paqueta’s performances are a worry for West Ham,” he told Football Insider.
“Given the situation they’re in, you’re looking at their best players and waiting for them to step up and drag them out of a difficult position.
“There’s no doubt Paqueta is one of those players, but his performances have not been good enough, and he hasn’t stepped up when needed.
“The manager has been frustrated by his performances because he’s not showing anything like the level they need him to be at the moment.
“Of course, things have happened to Paqueta with the betting scandal and everything surrounding that, it’s not West Ham’s fault and it’s not Paqueta’s fault.
“There was the thing with Man City where they were prepared to pay a big fee for him, but they’re not going to get anything near that sort of fee now.
“He has got to prove out on the pitch that he is still the top player he was before, but he isn’t doing that for West Ham, and that’s a concern.
“There will be clubs interested, and of course he’s not playing in a great side at the moment, but at a time when West Ham need him to step up, he’s disappeared.
“If there’s a chance that they could let him go and use the money to strengthen their position, then I think it’s something they would be open to.”
Nuno Espirito Santo eyes January striker signing
Despite Paqueta’s potential departure, the Hammers remain determined to strengthen their squad in the mid-season window to aid their battle against relegation.
Brown told Football Insider on 14 December that West Ham are working to identify strikers who could bolster their options up front ahead of the January window.
This comes after Football Insider exclusively revealed on 15 December that West Ham scouts have been impressed by Sargent and his recent displays.
However, Brown told Football Insider on 23 December that Norwich will not accept £20million for Sargent, in another blow to the Hammers’ hopes.
Their reluctance to spend big in the mid-season window will likely cost them some major targets, adding to concerns in what has been a dismal season.
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