‘West Ham plan to accept huge Lucas Paqueta offer after FA ban news’
West Ham are prepared to accept offers for Lucas Paqueta as Saudi Pro League clubs are preparing bids, according to their former scout.
Mick Brown, who also worked as the chief scout at Man United and Blackburn and remains very well-connected at his former clubs, exclusively told Football Insider that “huge” offers for the 27-year-old are being lined up behind the scenes.
However, any deal will depend on the outcome of the FA probe into suspicious betting activity which started in 2023 and is expected to reach an outcome in the coming weeks.
Football Insider revealed in October that West Ham are looking to replace Paqueta amid the ongoing threat of a potential “lifetime ban” from football.
As things stand, no deal will progress until the official verdict is announced, with all parties left in limbo amid ongoing confusion and speculation.
This comes after Brown told Football Insider in May that West Ham plan to accept offers for Paqueta in an effort to raise funds for reinvestment in Graham Potter’s team.
West Ham made Lucas Paqueta transfer decision
Brown told Football Insider in March that West Ham are identifying potential replacements for Paqueta in cases he faces a lengthy ban from the FA.
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, has insisted any deal will depend fully on the outcome of the FA investigation.
“West Ham are prepared to let Paqueta go this summer,” he told Football Insider.
“I’m told there are a few clubs in Saudi Arabia having a look at him and whether a deal would be possible.
“They’d be prepared to pay huge money to bring him in.
“But he’s got the threat of this ban looming over him, which not only would see West Ham lose one of their better players, but also a big chunk of money.
“To be honest, it’s typical of the FA that it has been allowed to drag on for so long.
“Faced with a difficult decision to make, they sweep it under the carpet for as long as they can.
“That hasn’t helped West Ham, and it certainly hasn’t helped the player.
“If the charges against him are accurate, he broke the rules and will be punished, he’ll be banned and it may even be a lifetime ban.
“But having it in the background for so long as put a number of things on pause, everybody is in limbo.
“Why would the Saudi clubs come in at the moment, give West Ham a load of money and take over their problem? If he gets banned, it won’t just be in England.
“At the moment, it’s all on hold, but if he is cleared things will start moving.”
Mohammed Kudus update emerges after formal Tottenham bid
Paqueta is not the only star player being linked with a move away from the London Stadium this summer, as clubs continue to monitor Mohammed Kudus’ situation.
Football Insider revealed on 2 July that West Ham have rejected an offer from Tottenham for Kudus, believed to have been worth £50million plus £5million in add-ons.
The Hammers decided the offer did not match their valuation, but are bracing for further offers as Spurs are not the only club interested in a deal.
Brown told Football Insider that Chelsea are also interested in signing Kudus are are prepared to join Tottenham in the race to secure his services.
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