Lucas Paqueta would have joined Aston Villa if news linking him with the club did not leak on social media | OneFootball

West Ham United midfielder Lucas Paqueta would have joined Aston Villa during the summer transfer window if not for social media, according to Italian transfer expert Fabrizio Romano.

Manager Unai Emery wanted the West Ham star at Villa Park as he looked to strengthen his attacking midfield options.

A loan deal with an obligation to buy to lure him away from the London Stadium club was mooted.

However, Paqueta remained with the Hammers, with Villa settling for loan deals for Manchester United’s Jadon Sancho and Liverpool star Harvey Elliott on transfer deadline day.

“There are many deals that collapsed because of social media reporting,” Romano said on It’s Called Soccer!

“It is not just about me. It is also about other excellent journalists out there who can break a story and create a problem to the deal.

“I can guarantee to you that if there wasn’t social media, Paqueta would be a Villa player now.

“And now he is at West Ham because the deal collapsed because of the leaks too early, or maybe in a crucial stage of negotiation and making people upset at West Ham.

“So this can happen. I think social media is sometimes a problem in negotiations. But this is also part of the game. I’m sure two or three days before the negotiation was quite advanced.”

While social media helps football fans stay informed during the transfer windows, it also comes with its disadvantages, and it can be tricky to prevent news from leaking before a deal is finalised.

Missing out on Paqueta was a blow to Villa, but they did manage to eventually bolster their attack in the closing hours of the transfer window against all odds.

The Midlands club will now focus on performing well across all competitions this season, while the West Ham star may seek to leave the club next summer.