He stays' – Savinho reacts to Lucas Paqueta's message after West Ham ‘statement’
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Credit: Imago
Jonathan Burnett
Mon 1 September 2025 8:26, UK
Lucas Paqueta gave the clearest indication yet over where his future lies after West Ham United’s victory at Nottingham Forest.
Graham Potter‘s side made their poor start to the season look like a distant memory at the City Ground, as three late goals sealed a 3-0 win over Europe-bound Forest to move West Ham out of the drop zone.
Jarrod Bowen underlined his importance to West Ham with their opening goal on 84 minutes and then teed up Callum Wilson‘s clincher, with those goals coming either side of a pinpoint penalty from Paqueta.
The Brazilian’s 88th-minute spot-kick came against the backdrop of huge transfer speculation heading into the final hours of this summer’s window, after West Ham rejected a loan-to-buy bid from Aston Villa.
Credit: Manh Tung, Breaking Media
Aston Villa emerged as late contenders alongside Tottenham and Everton to sign Paqueta, with Football Insider revealing on Sunday that West Ham would “reluctantly” accept offers for their star number 10.
However, Paqueta’s celebration after his penalty to seal the points against Forest sent a clear message of intent to West Ham fans, as he mimicked putting a phone down before kissing the Hammers’ badge.
Paqueta posted on Instagram at full-time of Sunday’s match after putting a full-stop on any talk of a transfer in the final hours of the window, and also thanked God to say: “HE stays true to me”.
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Manchester City winger Savinho, who has also been heavily linked with an exit this summer, responded with the message of: “Craque (player) closure”.
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Football Insider Verdict
West Ham fans had grown increasingly frustrated with their side’s lack of ambition and activity in this summer’s transfer market, but retaining Paqueta off the back of a 3-0 win could be a huge catalyst.
Mateus Fernandes was signed from Southampton on 29 August and had been billed as Paqueta’s long-term replacement, but the £42million playmaker made his debut alongside the Brazilian against Forest.
Soungoutou Magassa has also arrived from Monaco and adds further legs to West Ham’s midfield, and with Potter keen to build on the momentum established from Sunday’s victory, expect the final hours of the window to be busy at the London Stadium.