Insider: West Ham board were prepared to accept offer for star man
Below is a summary of the full article. Click here for the full version or go back to LFC Live.net.
Credit: Imago
Callum O'Connell
Tue 2 September 2025 15:38, UK
Lucas Paqueta made the decision to stay at West Ham despite the club’s plans to accept an offer, according to their former senior scout.
Mick Brown, who also worked as the chief scout at Man United and Sunderland and remains very well-connected at his former clubs, exclusively told Football Insider that the 28-year-old opted against moving away despite intense interest.
Paqueta sent a clear message about his future by pretending to throw away a phone before kissing the Hammers badge after scoring against Nottingham Forest.
This came after Football Insider revealed on 1 September that Paqueta would be allowed to leave West Ham if the right offer came in late in the window.
Aston Villa had emerged as late favourites to sign the Brazil international, but he opted to remain at the London Stadium and continue his career in East London.
The club’s support and backing during a difficult period for the attacking midfielder is believed to have played a part in his decision after Paqueta was cleared of illegal betting charges.
Credit: Imago
This article contains exclusive comment from Mick Brown, a football transfer expert and former chief scout for Man United and Sunderland among others.
MORE FOOTBALL INSIDER STORIES
Brown told Football Insider in July that West Ham wanted to cash in on Paqueta, with cut-price offers to be accepted after he was cleared of the FA charges.
The former scout, who has a wealth of experience in top-level player recruitment after over a decade at Man United during their most successful period, insisted that the Brazilian ultimately decided against leaving despite the club’s plans.
“From what I hear, it was Paqueta’s decision to stay at West Ham,” he told Football Insider.
“The West Ham board were prepared to accept a decent offer for him.
“It’s not that they turned down interest and made efforts to keep him at the club, he wanted to stay rather than making a late move somewhere.
Credit: Imago
“Aston Villa were the club being spoken about a lot, but yeah, he turned down the chance to move.
“The club stood by him with all of the issues surrounding the betting allegations and everything else going on behind the scenes.
“So perhaps this is a way for him to repay them for their support.
“Now they need to focus on getting him back to performing at his best level.”
Another move which failed to materialise on transfer deadline day was one for Chelsea forward Raheem Sterling, who had been a target at the London Stadium.
Now, Brown has told Football Insider that Chelsea could terminate Sterling’s contract in an effort to secure him a move away from Stamford Bridge outside of the window.
Credit: Imago
Fulham made a late approach for Sterling on deadline day, while Graham Potter’s side are also believed to be admirers, but no deal emerged before the 7pm cut-off.
This comes after Football Insider revealed on 23 August that Chelsea were struggling to sell Sterling as a result of his “huge” weekly wage at Stamford Bridge.
For more West Ham and exclusive news, follow us on Facebook or join our brand new WhatsApp Channel for instant updates to be sent straight to your phone.