West Ham's asking price for Lucas Paqueta has shocked fans as the Brazilian prepares for the verdict on his long-standing spot-fixing to be announced.
Paqueta signed for the Irons from Lyon in 2022 and has racked up 120 appearances, helping the club win the Conference League in 2023.
But for a large part of his career in East London the Brazilian has had a cloud hanging over him having been the subject of a lengthy investigation from the FA after being charged with alleged breaches of rules E5 and F3.
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The investigation relates to suspicious betting patterns involving Paqueta and four yellow cards he received in the Premier League and began in August 2023, leading to his dream £85 million move to Manchester City falling through.
He was charged in May 2024 and a hearing took place on 17 March, with Paqueta also charged with failing to cooperate with the investigation even though he strongly denied any wrongdoing and has maintained his innocence.
In a statement released in May last year, Paqueta said: I am extremely surprised and upset that the FA has decided to charge me.
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“For nine months, I have cooperated with every step of their investigation and provided all the information I can. I deny the charges in their entirety and will fight with every breath to clear my name.”
According to The Guardian, Paqueta is expected to learn in the next few days that he has been cleared of spot-fixing and spared a potential lifetime ban from football.
But while he will likely have a weight lifted from his shoulder, the suggestion is that he may not continue his career with West Ham.
The 27-year-old has attracted interest from the Saudi Pro League and his native West Ham, with the Daily Mail reporting that an offer in the region of £30 million could be enough for them to sell up.
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That fee will be more than £50 million short of what City were set to pay, while also representing a £20 million loss on their club-record signing.
In contrast, Mohamed Kudus moved to Spurs from West Ham for a fee of £55 million.
Paqueta's former club Flamengo are keen but had been waiting to see the outcome of his case, which has not yet been officially communicated by the FA.
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Paqueta's contract runs until 2027 but comes with the option of an extra year.
Topics: West Ham, Premier League
Josh Lawless