(Credit: Imago)
Tue 29 July 2025 22:24, UK
West Ham United recently received a significant boost with the news that Lucas Paqueta is set to be cleared of any wrongdoing by the FA.
The Brazilian has been under investigation by the footballing authorities for several months now, as a result of alleged breaches of the betting protocols.
West Ham finally got a verdict regarding Paqueta on Friday (25 July), and that should allow the attacking midfielder to focus solely on his football once again.
The former Lyon man potentially had a lifelong ban from football looming over him, and the FA’s verdict will surely feel like a weight has been lifted from his shoulders.
Paqueta has avoided a huge ban. (Credit: Imago)Rice reacts as Paqueta posts from New York
Paqueta is now out in the USA with the rest of his West Ham teammates as their summer preparations continue.
Graham Potter’s charges are taking part in the Premier League’s Summer Series, and they opened their opened that trio of games with a 2-1 defeat to Manchester United in New Jersey on Saturday (26 July).
The 27-year-old came off the bench to feature in the latter stages of that clash, with speculation surrounding his future potentially now likely to continue.
West Ham had been set to sell Paqueta to Manchester City as the initial scrutiny broke out, and it is possible that Pep Guardiola’s side could now launch another offensive.
For now, Paqueta has seemingly been enjoying the USA with his teammates, and he posted a series of pictures of him in New York’s famous Time Square on Monday (28 July).
The post was his first since being cleared of his betting allegations, and Declan Rice, who played with him in E20 during the 2022/23 campaign, responded by liking his post.
West Ham need to keep Paqueta
West Ham have now set a price tag of £30million for Paqueta, but they should be doing everything they can to keep him at the London Stadium.
ClubAppsGoalsAssistsWest Ham1201814Lyon802113AC Milan4413Flamengo95186Paqueta hasn’t been as productive at West Ham as he was at Lyon.
His performances dipped towards the back end of last season, likely as a result of the ongoing investigation, but he is undoubtedly a top-quality player on his day.
There is certainly an argument for both parties to separate and rebuild elsewhere, but at the same time, Potter badly needs creativity in his squad, and Paqueta can provide that in spades.
It will be tempting for the Hammers to cash in and start afresh, but the Brazilian should still have more to give in claret and blue.
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