A source very close to West Ham majority owner David Sullivan and spoken out to dispel big new ‘myths’ about Lucas Paqueta.
The countdown is on regarding the fate of West Ham star Lucas Paqueta.
And it really has presented the Hammers with quite the countdown conundrum given there are millions of pounds riding on the verdict.
From a human perspective things clearly have not been easy for West Ham’s Brazilian magnifico over the last year.
Of course it remains to be seen whether this has all been self-inflicted.
If so then Paqueta will undoubtedly be seen differently as he likely serves a lifetime, worldwide football ban.
Accusations of spot-fixing, which Paqueta has always denied, put paid to what was reportedly his “dream” move to Man City last summer.
The FA then made turned those allegations into official charges at the end of last season – ensuring the wait goes on for Man City and Paqueta.
Although the reality now is that move is unlikely to ever happen with speculation Pep Guardiola is leaving the champions at the end of next season coupled with the fact they face their own judgement day on those 115 charges.
Let’s not forget about the Hammers in all of this, though. The club made Paqueta their £51m record signing and looked set for an £85m pay day when Man City came calling.
West Ham were happy to sell to help fund Julen Lopetegui’s rebuild.
But Paqueta’s fate now rests in the hands of an independent three-person panel.
The uncertainty over Paqueta’s future has left West Ham in a difficult position.
The Hammers do not know exactly when a decision will be handed down. Therefore the club – as fans will have seen from speculation doing the rounds of late – are trying to sign a left-sided attacker to guard against a worst case scenario.
Speculation has been rife Paqueta could – and indeed wants – to return to Brazil with former club Flamengo.
There’s been rumours Saudi Arabia want to bring him there with speculation they operate outside the jurisdiction of the Paqueta panel.
On that subject there was also a massive claim yesterday that Paqueta will be available all of next season for West Ham as a decision in the ‘complex case’ is not expected until ‘well into next year’.
They say never let the facts get in the way of a good story.
And it seems the latest Paqueta ‘revelations’ don’t quite add up.
Now a David Sullivan confidant has dispelled the big new ‘myths’ about West Ham star Paqueta.
Sean Whetstone counts Sullivan and vice-chair Karren Brady as close contacts inside West Ham.
Firstly Whetstone has dismissed out of hand what he describes as an ‘urban myth’ that the Saudis can somehow circumnavigate the rules to sign Paqueta.
“It is urban myth that Saudi football clubs are not affiliated to FIFA and not subject to their sanctions,” Whetstone said.
“Saudi Arabian clubs playing the Saudi Pro League are regulated by the Saudi Arabian Football Federation who have been affiliated to FIFA since 1974. Any player bans ratified by FIFA would be applicable and enforceable in Saudi Arabia.
“Recent reports suggest Saudi club Al Nassr is targeting Lucas Paqueta for a possible transfer. Last year Al Nassr were banned by FIFA from registering new players until they settled a debt with Leicester City. Al Nassr were ordered to pay Leicester €460,000 (£387,000) plus annual interest of 5% in an October 2021 ruling by a FIFA-appointed judge at its players’ status committee. Leicester filed the complaint in April 2021 because of unpaid additional clauses due from the €18m (£15m) sale of Nigeria forward Ahmed Musa in 2018.”
Whetstone also revealed a top Hammers source had poured cold water on The Times’ claim that Paqueta will not face judgement until well into next year.
And it’s clear to see why West Ham are so keen to get a left-sided attacker in this summer.
Because West Ham expect the verdict much sooner.
In fact that if the panel finds against Paqueta, the Hammers star could be banned midway through next season.
“Sources close to the club think Lucas Paqueta’s case is unlikely to be delayed until the end of the coming season while responding to a Times article on the subject and claims the end of January next year is a more realistic prediction,” Whetstone added.
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