West Ham could sell Lucas Paqueta to fund deals after Chelsea collapse - 'Catastrophic' warning from finance expert
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(Credit: Imago)
Ben Palmer
Sun 24 August 2025 10:00, UK
West Ham may look to cash in on Lucas Paqueta to fund a rebuild late in the transfer window after a dismal start to their season.
That is according to football finance expert Dan Plumley, who told Football Insider exclusively that the Hammers need to get their act together after a dismal start to the season.
West Ham began their season with a 3-0 loss to the newly-promoted Sunderland, furthering concerns that the club’s inactivity in the transfer market could be the cause of their demise.
The business done so far this summer has seen Jean-Clair Todibo’s loan become a permanent move, whilst El Hadji Malick Diouf and Mads Hermansen have also joined.
However, Mohammed Kudus joined Tottenham near the start of July, and the Ghana international is yet to be replaced.
Graham Potter‘s side followed up their defeat to Sunderland with their first home game of the season against Chelsea, and West Ham were demolished 5-1 despite taking an early lead.
Mohammed Kudus joined Tottenham this summer.
(Credit: Imago)
This article contains exclusive comment from Dan Plumley, a football finance expert and senior lecturer at Sheffield Hallam University.
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Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, Plumley raised his concerns about the Irons and their poor summer and start to the season.
The finance expert explained that with just over a week remaining in the transfer window, Paqueta may be sold by West Ham to raise funds for “a couple” of new additions.
He said: “There’s still a chance he leaves West Ham, whether that’s this window or in the future.
“He does have value to that club as an asset, and now this case is closed and he’s been found not guilty.
Lucas Paqueta’s West Ham stats.
(Credit: Imago)
“The player is back into the fold and integrated into the team, and he might be in a better head state, but with West Ham, they’re in that group of clubs that you look at and go, you don’t want that catastrophic season.
“They are struggling and they might choose to shift a couple of players on to bring a couple in or boost the finances.
“It might be a very different season for them, depending on how it goes in the next few weeks.
So they’ve got to get their act together pretty quickly over the next few games.”
Despite the concerns over his side’s poor start to their season, West Ham are not planning to sack Graham Potter just yet, Pete O’Rourke told Football Insider exclusively.
The Irons have conceded eight goals in their opening two games and sit bottom of the Premier League table.
Graham Potter has struggled at West Ham.
Credit: Manh Tung – Breaking Media
Potter has won just five of his 21 matches in charge of West Ham after taking over in January 2025.
However, chairman David Sullivan has shown a willingness to give the ex-Chelsea boss time to find his feet at the London Stadium.
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