Lucas Paqueta drops major new hint over West Ham future as transfer interest builds

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Evening Standard

·12 September 2025

Lucas Paqueta drops major new hint over West Ham future as transfer interest builds

Aston Villa pushed to sign Brazilian midfielder late in summer window after he was cleared of spot-fixing charges

Lucas Paqueta has seemingly confirmed that this season will be his last at West Ham in a cryptic new social media post.

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The Brazilian midfielder, who rejected interest from Aston Villa towards the end of the summer transfer window, took to Instagram on Thursday evening to reaffirm his loyalty to the Hammers, while at the same time urging fans to “go together for one more season”.

“It's about choosing those who welcomed you, who never judged you, who believed in you until the very last moment, who loved you and made you feel at home,” Paqueta said.

“It's about staying loyal not only when you had everything, but also when there was nothing... it's not time to say goodbye yet! Let's go together for one more season!”

Paqueta, who was cleared of spot-fixing charges this summer following a two-year investigation by the Football Association (FA), produced a show of loyalty when he kissed the West Ham badge after scoring the second goal in their 3-0 win away at Nottingham Forest before the international break.

The 28-year-old, who has scored three goals in his last three games, feels he owes a debt of gratitude to West Ham for sticking by him during the investigation, and this influenced his decision to stay in east London despite late interest from Villa.

However, with several Premier League clubs interested in his services, Paqueta now looks likely to leave at the end of this season.

The Brazilian international has scored 14 goals in 95 Premier League appearances for West Ham since his debut in 2022 and helped the Hammers lift the Conference League trophy in his first season at the club.

Paqueta’s performances saw him come close to completing an £85million switch to Manchester City in 2023.

However, on the eve of his move, the FA opened its investigation into Paqueta and the transfer fell through.

Paqueta, who always denied any wrongdoing and was cleared on four counts of supposed spot-fixing by an independent commission in July, is considering suing the FA after his acquittal.