Sudden Injury Might Keep West Ham United Star Out Of The Tottenham Hotspur Game: Big Setback For Nuno? | OneFootball

Brazilian journalist Raisa Simplicio recently broke a big story about West Ham’s star playmaker, Lucas Paquetá, and his sudden absence. Simplicio says the midfielder is blaming a back injury for missing training. He is also pushing back hard against claims that he’s just trying to force a move away.

Lucas Paquetá’s Absence for West Ham: Injury Woes or Transfer Tactics?

Still, the timing is suspicious. Rumours about his future are growing every day. The Brazilian says he’s in too much pain to play right now, but this situation just happens to fit perfectly with his clear goal of leaving the London Stadium.

On top of that, reports from Brazil suggest Flamengo are getting ready to make an official bid. Chelsea have also been quietly watching him as a potential target. West Ham’s bosses are open to selling him, but they’d much rather wait until the summer.

That would give them enough time to find a proper replacement. Even so, Paquetá seems to be the one driving for an exit right now, which is exactly what Flamengo want to hear. ESPN, as relayed by Sport Witness, recently reported that club officials have scheduled a final meeting this week. They want to pin down his price tag and see if a January move is actually doable. This leave the Hammers in a tough spot as they get ready for a massive derby against Tottenham Hotspur this Saturday.

The Hammers Face a North London Headache

LONDON, ENGLAND – JANUARY 06: Lucas Paqueta of West Ham United celebrates his team’s first goal, an own goal scored by Murillo of Nottingham Forest (Not Pictured) during the Premier League match between West Ham United and Nottingham Forest at London Stadium on January 06, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)

This injury couldn’t have come at a worse time for West Ham manager Nuno. He is trying to get his team ready for the Spurs game, but if Paquetá sits this one out, the Hammers lose their best creative spark. That’s a huge problem against a Tottenham team that usually hog the ball.

In the football world, a back injury is often a polite way to handle things during a transfer window. It keeps the player safe while the clubs work out a deal behind the scenes. With all the noise and the talks over his value, it’s hard to imagine him playing on Saturday.

Plus, this whole drama is a huge distraction for the rest of the team. While West Ham deal with the fallout, Tottenham seem to have moved on. Spurs have reportedly turned their focus elsewhere. It looks like Atletico Madrid’s Conor Gallagher is close to returning to London to join them instead.

That’s one less door open for Paquetá, but West Ham are still stuck with a frustrated star and a hole in their midfield. If he leaves now, the Hammers will spend the rest of the season without their most inventive player, which could totally wreck their campaign.