Battle lines have now been drawn after West Ham made an astonishing accusation involving wantaway midfielder Lucas Paqueta.
Mark Noble once infamously claimed West Ham aren’t run like a circus anymore.
But the claret and blue big top is back in east London and Lucas Paqueta now has his head in the lion’s mouth.
Forget Mexican standoff, a Brazilian standoff is developing between the West Ham hierarchy and Paqueta, who is said to be desperate to return to his boyhood club Flamengo in the January window.
Less than three weeks ago Nuno Espirito Santo described Paqueta as ‘irreplaceable’.
Battle lines drawn between West Ham and Paqueta
While most Hammers fans would not necessarily agree with that statement, it is probably fair to say West Ham would struggle to replace Paqueta with a player capable of the same quality given they are cut adrift in the Premier League relegation zone.
That quality has been increasingly rare on the pitch for West Ham, though, as the club has regressed rapidly since Paqueta played that pass to set up Jarrod Bowen’s winning goal in the Europa Conference League final.
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Many Hammers fans feel Paqueta has been worth his £51m fee, £150k per week wages and often childish behaviour for that moment alone given it is the club’s only major trophy since 1980.
West Ham supporters are divided over Paqueta wanting to jump a sinking ship to return to Brazil.
But things are threatening to get ugly inside the club.
Hammers News reported on Thursday morning that there had been a major West Ham twist after Nuno met with Paqueta.
In that meeting, Paqueta is said to have convinced Nuno to let him leave for Flamengo and the head coach will reportedly plead his case with majority owner David Sullivan.
The Brazilian club are said to be preparing to meet West Ham’s £42.5m valuation in a meeting on Friday.
It comes amid claim and counter claim that Paqueta refused to play against QPR last weekend and has not been training.
West Ham make astonishing Paqueta accusation
The Paqueta camp have reportedly been putting that down to a back injury rather than insubordination.
But in a messy new twist, the battle lines have been drawn as West Ham make an astonishing Paqueta accusation.
Lucas Paqueta ‘wants to leave West Ham’ in the midst of a relegation battle – what’s your reaction?!
What was the point in this then? 🤔
The development marks a significant escalation in an already fraught situation, deepening the sense of confrontation and leaving little room for quiet resolution as tensions continue to rise behind the scenes.
According to prominent Hammers insider ExWHUemployee, West Ham’s top brass are far from impressed with the actions of Paqueta.
In a major update on The West Ham Way Patreon, Ex has revealed West Ham have denied Paqueta is injured.
Instead the club source quoted has claimed “it is lies” that Paqueta is injured and accuse the 28-year-old of “playing games”.
Hammers accuse Paqueta of ‘playing games’ over injury
On Wednesday Hammers News exclusively revealed West Ham’s board sent a stern warning to Paqueta threatening to fine him if he refused to play or train.
With the player claiming he is injured, the water is muddied.
After all, it may be near impossible for the club’s medical team to conclusively prove either way whether Paqueta is feeling an injury or is in discomfort.
The latest out of Brazil is that West Ham have, for the first time, indicated to Flamengo that they would be willing to sell this month if they meet their valuation.
With a meeting set for Friday to discuss that transaction, there is every chance Paqueta may have played his last game for the Hammers, who face a Spurs side missing seven key players in a crucial game on Saturday.
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