Major three-pronged Lucas Paqueta news has emerged at West Ham on the investigation, his return to action and his future.
It’s only February but it would be the understatement of the year to say West Ham are missing Lucas Paqueta.
Paqueta was last seen setting up Jarrod Bowen with a world class pass to take the lead within 10 minutes against Bristol City in the FA Cup in early January.
That would be his last act in a Hammers shirt for over six weeks.
And West Ham have fallen off a cliff from the moment he left the pitch that day.
Major three-pronged Paqueta news emerges
Paqueta is back in training at Rush Green. But under pressure boss David Moyes has been coy over when he may return to the team.
The Brazilian magnifico still has the FA investigation over alleged involvement in illegal betting hanging over his head.
And rumours persist that he will be moving to Man City if it concludes in his favour after a deal collapsed in the summer.
Well now major three-pronged Paqueta news has emerged at West Ham on the investigation, his return to action and his future.
According to The Daily Mail’s Sami Mokbel, West Ham hope to have their talisman back available for the Everton clash.
Big updates on investigation, return and future
But there is also an outside chance he could be ready for Brentford on Monday night.
“With the Hammers not playing for another seven days, the club will use the opportunity to accelerate Paqueta’s training load with a view having him available within two weeks,” it is claimed.
“It remains to be seen if Paqueta can make enough progress to make the squad to face Brentford, but there is hope he can be available by the time the Hammers face Everton on March 2.”
In the second big update regarding Paqueta, journalist Graeme Bailey has claimed Manchester City are more determined than ever to sign the Hammers star in the summer.
‘West Ham are concerned…’
“Sources have told HITC that Manchester City fully intend on making a new bid for West Ham United attacking midfielder Lucas Paqueta this summer,” Bailey states.
“Paqueta’s camp were left infuriated at being denied a move to City last summer and they are now pushing the FA to announce their results as they are determined to make sure they don’t impact on his future again.”
On that subject comes major update number three involving West Ham’s playmaker.
And it comes from board confidant Sean Whetstone.
He claims that West Ham are now concerned the FA will officially charge Paqueta over the allegations so that his fate can then be decided by an independent three-person panel.
“There is concern within West Ham that the FA will decide to charge Lucas Paqueta over suspicious betting patterns to make it someone else’s problem,” Whetstone said.
“Paqueta insists he had no knowledge or involvement and is completely innocent. If charged it would be up to the FA’s Independent Regulatory Commission three-man panel to decide the outcome based on available evidence.”
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