Uncertainty reigns when it comes to the future of West Ham United playmaker Lucas Paqueta, a potential lifetime ban hanging over one of the Premier League’s most naturally-gifted midfielders.
The Football Association could kick Paqueta out of professional football for good, if he is found guilty of spot-fixing at the end of a long-running court case.
And with all the drama taking its toll on the Brazil international – Paqueta could not stop the tears from flowing after he picked up a yellow card in the recent 1-1 draw with Tottenham Hotspur – there is a genuine possibility that the £38 million signing from Lyon may have played his last game in a West Ham United shirt.
As such, all the speculation surrounding a potential return to Brazil – specifically with Flamengo – misses the obvious somewhat.
Why would any club take a punt on Lucas Paqueta now, Brazilian reporter Jorge Nicola asks, when there is still the possibility that his career could be cut dramatically short only weeks from now?
Lucas Paqueta’s Flamengo return ‘impossible’ until West Ham star’s fate is sealed
It is anticipated that the verdict of Paqueta’s trial will finally be revealed in the first half of June.
A suspension is seen as highly unlikely. Either, the former AC Milan ace will be banned permanently, or he will be acquitted. There is, reports suggest, simply no middle ground.
West Ham can be forgiven, then, if they look to cash in early during the summer window. There are suggestions that The Hammers will accept bids of £25 million for a player who came close to joining Manchester City for an eye-watering £80 million as recently as 2023.
But, as Nicola points out, Flamengo are not foolish enough to stump up such a fee before the verdict becomes public.
“The big question that remains is; Which club from Brazil or abroad will open negotiations with West Ham for the purchase of Paqueta?” Nicola begins. “Knowing that, at any time, the result of the case [will be revealed].
“There is a real risk of him being banned from football.
“Flamengo follows the Paqueta situation very closely because they understand he would be a great addition to the red and black team. But it is impossible to imagine any kind of proposal from Flamengo before the result of the trial.”
Graham Potter left Paqueta on the bench against Manchester United
Paqueta has impressed of late – particularly in that Spurs draw – when pulling the strings from a deeper role in Graham Potter’s midfield.
Paqueta was left on the bench for Sunday’s 2-0 win at Manchester United, though Potter was quick to point out that his removal from the starting XI was the result of a slight illness, albeit coupled with all the distractions facing him behind the scenes.
“Lucas has had a huge week off the pitch. [He was also] a little bit under the weather with a cold,” Potter said, Tomas Soucek and Jarrod Bowen scoring as West Ham leapfrogged Europa League finalists Man United and Tottenham into 15th place.
“[He and Niclas Fullkrug are] two really good subs [to have].”
Receive a digest of our best West Ham content each week direct to your mailbox
