David Sullivan has moved to set the record straight over claims about the conduct of Lucas Paqueta which have sullied his name among some West Ham fans.
Lucas Paqueta’s future at West Ham has been the subject of intense speculation for over two years now.
Indeed his very future in the beautiful game was in question until he was cleared of spot-fixing after a drawn-out FA saga.
The Hammers’ Brazilian magnifico played like a man with the weight of the world on his shoulders during that period.
But Paqueta’s 10/10 performance in West Ham’s superb 3-1 win over Newcastle suggests he is getting back to something like his brilliant best.
Paqueta so much better after spot-fixing case closure
After being cleared, Paqueta’s future was suddenly a hot topic again during the summer window.
According to the likes of Fabrizio Romano, Paqueta wanted to be playing for Aston Villa right now.
Romano was heavily criticised by Hammers fans for continually pushing claims Paqueta wanted out of the London Stadium, starting the night before West Ham’s season-opening 3-0 defeat at Sunderland.
Romano insisted his information was coming from credible sources and that Paqueta ‘liked the Villa project’ and wanted the move.
In the end the 28-year-old stayed at West Ham, producing a memorable celebration to confirm he would be remaining during the 3-0 win at Forest.
That has not stopped speculation over his future since, though.
Especially after Paqueta announced this will be his last season at West Ham in an emotional statement on social media.
Speculation has been rife that Paqueta may not even see the season out with the Hammers.
The midfield ace, who has been told by Nuno Espirito Santo he wants him to play with the aura of a Brazilian number 10, still has another year left on his West Ham contract at the end of the current season and that includes an option for a further year too.
There has been talk Paqueta and his family want to return to Brazil after the toll his spot-fixing case took on them.
The likes of Botafogo and Paqueta’s first club Flamengo have been heavily linked with moves for the Hammers ace.
Sullivan sets record straight over Paqueta’s West Ham conduct
Brazilian outlet BolaVIP claimed last month that Flamengo’s technical director Jose Boto is pushing to lure West Ham’s record £51m signing back home in the January transfer window.
Given West Ham’s dire position in the Premier League table and his importance to the team, that speculation was very worrying indeed.
Paqueta’s entourage responded emphatically to claims he will be leaving West Ham mid-season.
Yet still the speculation persisted with The Times’ Gary Jacob the latest claiming Paqueta wants to quit the Hammers as soon as the January window opens.
The £150k-per-week star then hit back hard himself at that latest claim as Paqueta posted a special West Ham picture on social media.
But they say there is ‘no smoke without fire’ and the constant rumours and claims from often reputable sources have tainted his reputation among a minority of West Ham fans who believe he is looking for a way out.
There is even one school of thought that Paqueta and his camp were feeding Romano information to try and help push through a Hammers exit.
Now West Ham chief David Sullivan has set the record straight over Paqueta’s conduct.
The Hammers chief has addressed the claims regarding Paqueta’s conduct.
Journalist Ben Jacobs has revealed what ‘sources close to Sullivan’ are now saying about selling Paqueta in January.
Sullivan insists Paqueta has never once told the club he wants to leave nor is he for sale in January.
Sullivan sources: Paqueta has never asked to leave West Ham
Although the spectre of Villa returning for him next summer remains.
“Now a bit of transfer news my understanding is that West Ham do not plan to sell Lucas Paqueta in January and that is unlikely to change, even if a replacement in his position is found,” Jacobs said.
“Sources close to David Sullivan have told Give Me Sport that Paqueta has never directly asked to leave and they deny the club would accept anything close to £50m.
“Aston Villa are showing concrete interest, that is a move driven by Unai Emery. But if they were to advance their interest it would be in the summer.
“West Ham accept Paqueta could leave in 2026 but they’re not looking to entertain a mid-season exit.”
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