Lucas Paqueta can sue the FA over Man City transfer collapse - Finance expert
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(Credit: Imago)
Ben Palmer
Tue 26 August 2025 16:54, UK
West Ham star Lucas Paqueta will be able to sue the FA after being cleared of his spot-fixing charges.
That is according to football finance expert Dan Plumley, who told Football Insider exclusively that the Irons would not have a claim against the governing body.
Paqueta was close to a move to the Etihad to join Man City in 2023, agreeing personal terms with Pep Guardiola’s side.
However, the deal fell through when the FA began its investigation into alleged spot-fixing charges, when a large number of bets were made from Brazil on the Brazilian midfielder receiving a yellow card in three different matches.
The case against the 27-year-old clearly took its toll, as Jarrod Bowen had to console a tearful Paqueta during West Ham‘s 1-1 draw with Tottenham in May 2025 after the former AC Milan was shown a yellow card by referee Michael Oliver.
The Irons’ star midfielder has since been cleared of his charges and scored for Graham Potter’s side in a 5-1 defeat to Chelsea on Friday, 22 August.
But after the challenges faced by having to endure two years of uncertainty owing to the charges against him, Paqueta can now counter-sue the FA.
Pep Guardiola’s side came close to signing Lucas Paqueta two years ago.
(Credit: Imago)
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This article contains exclusive comment from Dan Plumley, a football finance expert and senior lecturer at Sheffield Hallam University.
Speaking to Football Insider exclusively, Plumley explained that Paqueta could counter-sue the FA for lost earnings after his move to City collapse two years ago.
However, the finance expert suggested the midfielder may just want to move on and leave the case behind him.
Plumley said: “I’ve seen the claims; there is a potential for him to do that [counter-sue].
“Anything that you’d be looking at there would be in and around what the wage structure would have been at City versus West Ham, as an example.
“The fee is irrelevant in the context of the players’ earnings, that’s just the fee between the clubs.
“If you’re gonna look to go down that road as the player, then you’d be looking at, would I have been on more money at Man City versus West Ham?
Ultimately, the answer is yes, they can if they want to.
“But I wonder if now this one just gets fully put to bed, and it’s just done and dusted, and the player just moves on.”
Two years on from almost signing the Brazil international, the Sky Blues could return for West Ham’s star man.
Stefan Borson told Football Insider that Paqueta would cost Man City around £50m, although he thinks a move is unlikely, given the ex-Lyon man is 27 years of age and has struggled in recent seasons.
Graham Potter has struggled since taking over at West Ham.
Credit: Manh Tung – Breaking Media
However, Plumley told Football Insider previously that West Ham may want to cash in on Paqueta after a torrid start to the season.
The midfielder’s sale would allow the Hammers to sign several new players to reinvigorate a squad that has so far lost both their opening games of the season, scoring once and conceding eight times.
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