What would the weekend without the ‘mainstream media’ and the rumours they produce. At least these days we don’t have to wait for the paper boy to struggle to the door to force a bedraggled Sunday supplement through the letter box: It is all available on-line. Hot on the heels of the report in the Mirror.co.uk linking Mohammed Kudus with a move to Newcastle comes another story regarding West Ham’s other Crown Jewel, Lucas Paquetá.
Last night’s Daily Mail claims West Ham’s Brazilian star is keen on a return to his boyhood club, Flamengo.
But that is at odds with West Ham’s stance as they in turn try to use him as a bargaining tool: “The Hammers are said to be intent on including Paqueta as part of a move to sign striker Igor Jesus from Botafogo”
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Either way, the elephant in the room is the FA enquiry into Paquetá’s alleged involvement in the ‘yellow cards for bets’ scandal. Unless the Brazilian clubs expect him to be embargo-free and able to play in South America then he is under threat of being banned for life, certainly in Europe, if the allegations are proven.
Maybe as West Ham fans we need to think what was once unthinkable.
Is it time for Paquetá to move on? He’s not making the starting eleven at West Ham and is indeed a shadow of his former self. Bringing in Igor Jesus would certainly represent a coup for the Hammers’ recruitment team and at present would seem like very good business in view of West Ham’s much lamented striker situation.
A lot will depend upon Paquetá himself and the direction he chooses. At present his career on the pitch is going nowhere and this may well be a deal of convenience to suit all. Tim Steidten can certainly be back racking up the air miles again.
[And as always, important to stress that Lucas Paquetá denies all the allegations against him.]