West Ham’s bitter £30m Lucas Paqueta blow is worst Premier League has seen..
A new revelation has laid bare the fall from grace of Lucas Paqueta at West Ham and it is among the worst the Premier League has seen.
Even more galling for West Ham United and their Brazilian magnifico is that it may not even be their fault.
It has been a torrid 19 months off the pitch for Lucas Paqueta.
The Hammers playmaker was basking in the glory of laying on a genius assist which won West Ham their only major trophy of the last 45 years when allegations of spot-fixing emerged against him in August 2023.
Paqueta’s Hammers hell amid FA charges
Off the back of superb individual form for West Ham, Paqueta was also in the throes of a massive £85m move to Premier League giants Manchester City.
The Hammers’ hierarchy were obliged to tell Man City about the accusations and the move collapsed.
It was not only costly in terms of the money for West Ham and Paqueta – who likely would have nearly doubled his £150k weekly wage.
But it also saw the Irons miss out on Cole Palmer coming the other way for just £30m..
The accusations were turned into official charges by the FA around this time last year.
Photo by Rob Newell – CameraSport via Getty Images
Photo by Rob Newell – CameraSport via Getty Images
West Ham’s bitter £30m Paqueta blow
There is no doubt they have been hanging over West Ham and their record £51m signing like a dark cloud. And it has affected his performances and reputation as well as the club’s results.
Whether that cloud starts to pour down or the sun breaks through will become clear in the next week.
Today marks the end of week two of Paqueta’s three-week trial on six charges.
After reviewing their evidence, the FA are pushing for a lifetime ban.
Part of Paqueta’s defence includes getting David Moyes to verify that he didn’t want to play in a game in which he received one of four yellow cards he’s alleged to have deliberately sought to influence betting markets.
West Ham insist bookings are a result of Paqueta’s style.
The trial is due to end next Friday, April 4th. Although it is unclear how long the three-person independent panel will take to deliver a verdict.
READ ALSO: Paqueta’s six charges, why West Ham are worried and how trial is decided
The outcome will not only dictate what happens to Paqueta’s career, it also has big ramifications for West Ham’s immediate future.
PSR is biting the club this summer.
Money is needed from player sales to make signings to reshape Graham Potter’s squad.
West Ham United midfielder Lucas Paqueta in action against Aston Villa, with West Ham co-owner David Sullivan and Hammers head coach Graham Potter insets
West Ham United midfielder Lucas Paqueta in action against Aston Villa, with West Ham co-owner David Sullivan and Hammers head coach Graham Potter insets Credit: Getty Images / Visionhaus / Rob Newell – CameraSport / James Chance.
Paqueta drop off worst in Premier League
West Ham know their chance to make a big profit on Paqueta has long gone now as a result of the charges.
But the whole saga has been even more costly than the Hammers might have feared.
If Paqueta is absolved, it is likely West Ham will look to sell him this summer for as much as possible.
The problem is Paqueta has seen a whopping £25m wiped off his market value – dropping by nearly half from the start of the season.
That’s according to leading football transfer market site Transfermarkt.
The company has revealed 180 Premier League players saw their market values fall this season.
And of that 180, Paqueta’s market value has plummeted most – from close to £55m down to less than £30m.
Transfermarkt announced the 10 biggest drops in market value since last summer.
Paqueta market value decimated this season
Paqueta heads the list with his form off the back of the FA case and the ramifications of the allegations become clear.
180 Premier League players saw their market values fall this season ❌
Here are the top 10 biggest drops in market value since last summer 👀 pic.twitter.com/rsv5YEKW8V..
— Transfermarkt.co.uk (@TMuk_news) March 26, 2025
View Tweet
At 27, West Ham may be lucky to even get that for Paqueta with only Brazilian clubs interested as of January.
Saudi Arabia could always bump the price for the Hammers if he is cleared of wrongdoing.
One thing is for certain this has all been a very costly episode for the player and West Ham whatever happens.
Whether West Ham will have any financial recourse in that regard, if Paqueta does get off, remains to be seen.
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