Lucas Paqueta finally explains why he didn’t leave West Ham for Aston Villa

Add as preferred source on Google

West Ham United’s Lucas Paqueta has already lifted the lid on aborted transfers to Manchester City and Flamengo this week. Now is the turn of Aston Villa.

In an interview with the Brazilian media this week, Lucas Paqueta discussed how close he came to leaving the London Stadium. Both in the summer of 2023 and in the summer of 2025.

That FA charge cost West Ham an £80 million windfall a couple of years ago. Manchester City called off their pursuit of the Brazil international following to those alleged spot-fixing breaches.

Even when Paqueta was finally acquitted back in July after a two-year investigation, a return to South America with Flamengo really appealed to a man who obviously felt, at the time, that he needed to be away from the limelight this side of the Atlantic.

Heading into the January transfer window, the questions continue to swirl around the future of the former Lyon and AC Milan ace. Speaking to West Ham United‘s official website, Paqueta again took the chance to tell all just how grateful he is for the support given to him at the London Stadium at a time when his entire livelihood appeared to be in jeapardy.

Aston Villa seem unlikely to return now too, following Paqueta’s very public display of devotion two days before the window closed on September 1st.

West Ham United’s Lucas Paqueta lifts the lid on failed Aston Villa move

Amid plenty of confusion surrounding that Aston Villa deal, it appears that the transfer did not go through for a couple of reasons.

Firstly, Paqueta felt he had some faith to repay at West Ham.

And secondly, according to Hammers News’ chief football correspondent, Aston Villa’s bid was ‘some way off’ the sort of fee his current employers were looking for anyway.

Still, Paqueta further endeared himself to an adoring fanbase during that 3-0 win at Nottingham Forest in August. Actions speak louder than words, and no one needed the context explaining to them when Paqueta kissed the badge and tossed aside an imaginary phone after converting a penalty on the banks of the Trent.

“I’ve always felt very loved here,” the 28-year-old says. “Obviously, after winning the Conference League, that feeling became even stronger. I was able to put my name in the club’s history books. I consider this title to be the most important of my career, because of the way it happened.

“And the love of the fans is very important to me. To my wife too.

“During the period we’ve been through these last two years, I felt that they were always by our side. It was essential to have that reassurance amid all the chaos. So I always try to repay them on the pitch by doing my best.

“I won’t always be able to do my best, but they can be sure that I work hard to dedicate myself and repay all their affection.

“That goal [and celebration] against Nottingham Forest was after a possible transfer for me,” Paqueta adds. “I was thinking about what would be good for me and for my family. In the end, I didn’t feel in my heart that I was leaving West Ham. And I don’t regret it at all. It was a decision I made, alone, away from the noise, just me and my wife.

“We talked a lot and we decided we felt very good here. There was also a feeling of great gratitude for all the support I had during the trial.

“The club and the fans were always by my side, so I wanted to pay them back by staying and I am happy with that decision.”

Paqueta lifts the lid on failed Manchester City move in 2023

Hammers News confirmed this week that West Ham had rejected an offer from the Saudi Pro League worth around £50 million.

With relegation still a very real concern this season, chairman David Sullivan is understood to want closer to £100 million if Paqueta would be sold midway through a difficult campaign.

“Everyone knows that I really had [the chance to] transfer to City. I probably would have signed the week I received the letter [from the FA],” the playmaker told Globo Esporte earlier this week.

“Professionally speaking, I lost that, that transfer, a leap in my career.

“Psychologically, I think that’s where I was most affected, by the fear of this indecision, the uncertainty of my future, despite knowing who I am, what I do, what I’ve done. But, due to the circumstances of the investigations and the way the federation handled everything, it generated fear in us.”