West Ham handed major Lucas Paqueta boost as things start to look up for Graham Potter

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West Ham star Lucas Paqueta has really been put through the mill over the past 20 months or so.

If he is guilty, that will obviously have been entirely of his own making.

However, if Lucas Paqueta is indeed innocent, there can’t have been a more unlucky player in the history of the game

And he, and West Ham of course, will surely be due some serious compensation from the FA.

• READ MORE: Hammers fans should be absolutely loving brand new Lucas Paqueta twist that could save West Ham’s summer

Lucas Paqueta put in a great performance for West Ham against Liverpool on Sunday, although he has been really poor this season in general.

In fairness to him, the threat of a life-time ban hanging over his head has obviously made it impossible to perform at his best level.

And with his trial for spot-fixing still ongoing, nobody knows what will actually happen to Paqueta in the end.

West Ham handed major Lucas Paqueta boost

Graham Potter is in no man’s land when it comes to Paqueta right now.

The Hammers head coach doesn’t know if the Brazilian will even be eligible to play next season, let alone whether he will still be at the London Stadium.

It will be impossible for the 49-year-old to properly plan for next season until he knows what’s happening with Paqueta.

Well the good news is that if he does get found not-guilty, West Ham could be set to receive a big fee for the 27-year-old.

Claret and Hugh claim that Manchester City still want to sign Lucas Paqueta this summer.

And whilst the Hammers may not get £80 million for the Brazil international anymore, Potter can expect to receive a ‘decent fee’ for him.

Graham Potter needs to sign five players for West Ham

The Hammers boss needs to oversee a complete squad overhaul this summer.

The good news is that he is said to be keen to add more youth and dynamism to his West Ham ranks.

If the Hammers are able to sell Lucas Paqueta and Mohammed Kudus for a combined £100 million or more, then Potter will be in a really strong position to revamp his squad.

He needs to sign a striker with explosive pace, two central midfielders – one with pace and power and one with real ability in possession of the football.

Potter also needs to sign a top-class centre-back and a winger with electric pace.

It could be argued that the Hammers need a new goalkeeper and a couple of full-backs as well, but the rebuild can’t be done in one summer.

Those other positions will have to wait before they are addressed.

For now, Graham Potter needs to focus on getting deals for his priority targets over the line, and selling Lucas Paqueta this summer would help him do just that.