‘West Ham plan to accept £30m Lucas Paqueta offer after FA ban news’
West Ham are preparing to accept offers for Lucas Paqueta this summer after the latest on his FA ban, according to their former scout.
Mick Brown, who also worked as the chief scout at Man United and Sunderland and remains very well-connected at his former clubs, exclusively told Football Insider that clubs have been keeping a close eye on his situation at the London Stadium.
The 27-year-old had faced a potential “lifetime ban” from football amid allegations of suspicious betting activity, but has now been cleared of the charges.
Brown told Football Insider on 3 July that West Ham are prepared to let Paqueta leave this summer amid interest from a number of Saudi Pro League clubs.
Any talk over his departure had been delayed by the ongoing FA case, but clubs are now preparing to step up their interest after the outcome of the hearing.
However, the Hammers have been dealt a blow as rather than the £80million they would have made from his sale to Man City in 2023, they are now open to offers closer to £30million.
West Ham open to offers for Lucas Paqueta
Brown told Football Insider in May that West Ham will accept offers for Paqueta in a bid to raise funds for reinvestment in Graham Potter’s squad.
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 a cut-price deal could now be available for the Brazil international this summer.
“West Ham are prepared to let Lucas Paqueta go,” he told Football Insider.
“It’s something they’ve been open to for a while, but the problem has been people weren’t prepared to make offers while he had the ban hanging over him.
“Why would they spend big money on a player who might get a lifetime ban the next week?
“Now he’s been cleared of that so I expect these clubs will now step up their interest.
“The plan at West Ham is to make money from his sale and spend it on improving the squad.
“The problem for West Ham is that while this has been going on in the background, it’s clearly effected him, and his form has dropped significantly.
“Those interested clubs now aren’t going to be paying the £60-70million West Ham would’ve wanted for him when he was at his best.
“Man City were close to that deal for £80million, weren’t they? But they won’t get that fee now.
“I think the fee I’ve heard is around £30-35million that they would consider.
“So it’s a shame for West Ham and a shame for the player that all of this has happened almost for no reason because he’s now been cleared.“
Graham Potter joins Liverpool in race to sign Idrissa Gueye
While they remain prepared to accept offers for a number of players this summer, West Ham are also aiming to strengthen Potter’s squad.
Football Insider revealed on 26 July that West Ham want to sign Idrissa Gueye from FC Metz, who has emerged as one of the hottest prospects in Europe.
Liverpool, Crystal Palace, Brighton and Sunderland are among the other clubs who have registered their interest in the forward this summer.
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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