West Ham United star Lucas Paqueta is facing charges due to potential betting breaches right now.
Lucas Paqueta has experienced a terrible time over the past 19 months with West Ham.
It emerged in August 2023 that the Brazilian was being investigated for potential breaches of betting rules, after allegedly picking up four yellow cards on purpose, on four separate occasions.
West Ham star Lucas Paqueta could be banned for life if he is found guilty of those charges.
- Read also: Here’s exactly what West Ham staff were quietly thinking behind the scenes about Lucas Paqueta
It has been claimed when Lucas Paqueta first received the news about the investigation from West Ham officials, he took it with extreme nonchalance.
He will undoubtedly be feeling the heat now though.
His career is literally hanging in the balance.
However, huge rewards await him if he does beat the charges he faces.
Carrot dangled for Lucas Paqueta if he beats betting charges
We will all know one way or another whether or not Paqueta has a future in the game sooner rather than later.
However, if he does emerge victorious from his trial, it seems like he won’t be playing for West Ham next season.
According to a report from Brazilian outlet TV Foco, Paqueta is now a transfer target for Juventus ahead of the summer window.
However, the Italian giants will obviously only make a move to sign him if he is found not-guilty of all the charges levelled against him.
Juventus have a tremendous history in the Champions League, having won the competition twice.
They are currently sitting one place and one point adrift of fourth placed Bologna in the Serie A table, but they will most likely finish inside the Champions League spots come May.
The good news for West Ham is that if Paqueta is proven to be innocent, it seems like there are plenty of potential suitors for him this summer.
And boy do the Hammers need a big cash injection.
Can Lucas Paqueta play for West Ham vs Wolves?
The Hammers travel to Molineux to take on Wolves in the Premier League on Tuesday night.
But with Paqueta’s trial still ongoing, and with no end in sight, is he available to play for the Hammers against Wolves?
The answer to that question is yes, according to Claret and Hugh.
With his trial set to head into a third week, he is said to be very much available for selection for the Hammers.
However, you have to wonder what his mental state is like right now, and whether it will be worth Graham Potter actually risking him.
The West Ham fans will all be eagerly anticipating the release of the team-sheet for the clash with Wolves to see whether or not Lucas Paqueta will feature in the game.
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