Lucas Paqueta to decide on Man City move now free to make West Ham exit - Plumley
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Ben Palmer
Wed 27 August 2025 22:00, UK
Lucas Paqueta must decide if he wants to leave West Ham after being cleared of his spot-fixing charges.
That is the view of football finance expert Dan Plumley, who told Football Insider exclusively that there were “lots of moving parts” to the Brazilian’s future at the club.
Paqueta was cleared of spot-fixing charges by the FA after a nearly two-year inquest following some suspicious bets made from his homeland in Brazil.
The Brazilian agreed personal terms with Man City over a move to the Etihad in 2023, but the transfer was cancelled after charges were levied against him.
Having avoided a potentially career-ending ban, the ex-Lyon man may be on the move this summer.
West Ham could look to sell Paqueta to raise funds to sign upgrades before the end of the transfer window.
But ultimately, the decision on where his future lies rests with the 27-year-old.
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This article contains exclusive comment from Dan Plumley, a football finance expert and senior lecturer at Sheffield Hallam University.
West Ham have endured a miserable start to the season under Graham Potter and already sit bottom of the Premier League table.
A 3-0 opening day loss to Sunderland was concerning, and a 5-1 defeat at the hands of Chelsea added to the growing pressure the ex-Swansea boss is facing.
The Brazil international has scored West Ham’s only goal of the Premier League season so far, but he may be sacrificed for further squad building, due to the value he holds.
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City have been linked with a renewed bid for Paqueta after missing out on him two years ago.
But speaking to Football Insider exclusively, Plumley explained that whilst the Sky Blues could bid for him, the decision ultimately came down to the midfielder.
He said: “The player, and not just Man City, but the player can obviously move wherever in the future.
“There are lots of moving parts to that, in terms of what they decide to do next, and ultimately, that’ll be what the player decides to do.”
West Ham are looking to raise funds to make the most of the remaining days of the transfer window, Pete O’Rourke told Football Insider exclusively.
The Hammers have lost both their opening Premier League matches, and threw away a 2-1 lead to lose 3-2 to Wolves in the Carabao Cup on 26 August.
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Jarrod Bowen had to be pulled away as he confronted the away fans, and with Paqueta linked with an exit, the wheels look to be coming off Potter’s side, if they haven’t already.
West Ham desperately needs to bolster their transfer kitty, or risk spending until January with a squad that looks incapable of claiming a win.