Graham Potter has made his stance crystal clear to David Sullivan regarding Lucas Paqueta’s future at West Ham after the ball was placed in his court amid fresh links with Manchester City.
It was confirmed on Friday night that West Ham star Lucas Paqueta has been cleared of spot-fixing charges by an independent regulatory commission after a two-year saga.
The FA launched an investigation into West Ham’s Brazilian magnifico back in August 2023 – when Paqueta was on the verge of joining Man City in an £80m deal.
But it has taken 23 months to finally reach a verdict, costing West Ham that £80m Man City deal and the signing of Cole Palmer.
Paqueta’s fate has been hanging in the balance ever since and it has shown in his performances.
Cleared Paqueta’s West Ham future back in focus
The Hammers ace has been well below the standards he is capable of since the emergence of the accusations, which alleged he was deliberately booked on four occasions to influence betting markets.
The hearing, led by an independent three-person panel, started in March and ended last month.
Paqueta has always protested his innocence.
Pep Guardiola is a huge fan of the Hammers ace and has been seen embracing him warmly when West Ham have played Man City ever since the collapsed move.
It was claimed last month that Man City were willing to wait for Paqueta to be cleared.
And on Friday it was revealed he will be proved right with West Ham and the player informed he has been absolved.
An official announcement is set to follow next week.
Given Paqueta was in the process of being sold to Manchester City when the allegations emerged, it should be no real surprise speculation has been rife he will now depart West Ham.
West Ham confirmed Saudi clubs are interested in Paqueta.
The 27-year-old seemed to suggest he wants to return to his beloved former club Flamengo with his social media activity last month.
The vice-president of the Brazilian giants posted a picture at the HQ of Paqueta’s Roc Nation agency on Friday amid reports Flamengo are planning to unveil a marquee signing soon.
Since the news West Ham’s record £51m signing will not be facing a ban, football correspondent Graeme Bailey has claimed Manchester City are still interested in signing Paqueta.
Potter sends clear message to West Ham owners about Paqueta’s future amid fresh Man City links
West Ham’s PSR position means they have to sell to buy, hence the highly controversial sale of Mohammed Kudus to Spurs.
Graham Potter has only been able to make one purchase this summer in the shape of El Hadji Malick Diouf.
The other arrival, Kyle Walker-Peters, was on a free transfer and West Ham are being linked with another out of contract player in ageing, injury-prone striker Callum Wilson.
West Ham’s midfield is desperately in need of a major overhaul – as was proved again in the pre-season defeat to Man United in New York.
Paqueta came on in the second half of that game for his first appearance since word leaked that he is being cleared of spot-fixing.
With talk he could be sold to help fund Potter’s rebuild, a top source close to majority owner David Sullivan revealed the ball is in the court of the manager and player over what to do next.
Now Potter has sent a clear message to the West Ham owners about Paqueta’s West Ham future amid the fresh Man City links.
When asked about the situation regarding Paqueta’s case and his future, Potter said he does not have a definitive answer yet.
But one comment he made suggests he is open to Paqueta staying at West Ham amid talk he could finally make his “dream” move to Man City or an emotional return to Flamengo.
Hammers boss suggests he wants Paqueta to stay
Because Potter says he is a key character in the Hammers dressing room, suggesting he would be hard to replace.
“I don’t know anything,” Potter said, as reported by BBC Sport journalist Simon Stone.
“I just know we have to support him.
“He has been through a long ordeal.
“He is a big personality in the group.”
To add further intrigue to the situation, West Ham have been heavily linked with a move for Manchester City’s James McAtee.
Although with the way PSR accounting works, both clubs would likely want to do individual paid deals.
The Hammers have also been linked with Liverpool duo Harvey Elliott and Tyler Morton along with Southampton’s Mateus Fernandes and Club Brugge star Raphael Onyedika.
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