Lucas Paqueta cleared to leave for Tottenham as West Ham on brink of big-money replacement
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Credit: Imago
Jack Heath
Thu 28 August 2025 17:23, UK
Lucas Paqueta looks likely to be given the green light to move to Tottenham as West Ham sit on the verge of landing his replacement.
Following significant injuries to both James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski, Thomas Frank has been on the hunt for a midfield wizard to fill the creative void at the tip of his midfield.
Firstly, Tottenham target Morgan Gibbs-White made a U-turn to stay at Nottingham Forest, disappointing Spurs fans.
A second rejection came when Tottenham lost out on Crystal Palace’s Eberechi Eze who joined Arsenal at the last moment in a bitter blow for the north London club.
After a horrific start to the season, London rivals West Ham may part ways with Paqueta to fund future deals who could be now on his way to Spurs following a major transfer update on his likely replacement.
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West Ham have agreed a deal in principle for Southampton’s Mateus Fernandes in excess of £40million as a medical is on the cards (BBC Sport).
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Football Insider highlighted back on 11 August that the data shows that Fernandes is West Ham’s perfect Paqueta replacement, opening the door for the Brazilian to leave this summer.
The Saints attacking-midfielder created a similar amount of chances last campaign to the Iron, showing he could be precisely what the Hammers need to revamps their creative output.
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Yet, his arrival means the east London club will have to free up some money due to the tight financial constraints this summer, highlighting once again the importance of selling their number 10.
Moreover, for a whopping £40m, Fernandes will not be wanting to be a benchwarmer for Graham Potter with the South American blocking his path to getting into the first team.
Therefore, the Lilywhites must sense this as a golden opportunity to swoop in for the former Lyon midfielder – third time is the charm as they say, to end their long list of rejections.
When the Brazil international arrived in England, he came with his best friend and former teammate Bruno Guimaraes who headed north to Newcastle.
The pair have both won trophies during their stays with their respective clubs, yet the latter has enjoyed a taste of Champions League football, one that Paqueta cannot share in.
The chance to play for the Lilywhites offers a major upgrade in his current footballing career path, given the 28-year-old is slowly wasting his prime years away at the London Stadium as the claret and blue begin to crumble, facing potential relegation.
Lucas Paqueta 2024-25 all competitionsAppearances36Minutes played2,535Goals5Assists0(Source: Sofascore)
Frank can provide the guarantee of significant minutes in the critical number 10 role as well as the salvation of the lucrative top-tier of European football.
For Daniel Levy, he should be all over the Hammers talisman like a rash to ensure the north London club do not miss out on yet another marquee signing.
The chairman is under increasing pressure to produce in the closing stages of the window and the opportunity of the five-foot-eleven creator looks to be served on a plate for Spurs.