The West Ham board have confirmed that both Spurs and Aston Villa are among four clubs keen on signing Lucas Paqueta in the last week of the summer transfer window.
Speculation has been rife over the future of West Ham’s Brazilian playmaker Lucas Paqueta ever since he was cleared of spot-fixing charges.
Now there has been a huge development in Paqueta’s situation.
West Ham’s financial problems were plain for all to see when they did the unthinkable and sold Mohammed Kudus, one of their most talented players, to bitter rivals Tottenham Hotspur.
It was the first transaction between the two clubs for 14-and-a-half years. But like London buses, another may be following closely behind.
Although Aston Villa and two other clubs stand in the way of a potential deal that could prove to be the last straw for many Hammers fans.
Even though Paqueta has been a shadow of the player he once was over the last 19 months, he is still one of the few remaining quality stars on West Ham’s books.
West Ham board confirm Spurs and Villa want Paqueta
And while many Irons fans would not be against selling the 27-year-old for the right money if it meant Graham Potter was able to go out and sign top quality replacements, another deal with Tottenham would be a bridge too far for most.
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Like Potter at West Ham, Aston Villa boss Unai Emery has been wrestling with PSR restrictions this year.
However, Aston Villa exploited a loophole by selling their women’s team and have also offloaded West Ham and Spurs target Jacob Ramsey for £43m.
The Hammers wanted Ramsey as a replacement for Kudus and he was also on Thomas Frank’s Tottenham hit-list too.
Now West Ham, Villa and Tottenham are in a transfer triangle that threatens to leave Potter in turmoil unless he can bring in replacements.
Because the West Ham board have confirmed Spurs and Aston Villa are two of four clubs battling it out for Paqueta.
On eve of the opening game of the season, Fabrizio Romano – arguably the world’s top transfer reporter – revealed Paqueta wanted out of West Ham.
After standing by the Brazilian during his two-year spot-fixing saga, the hope was Paqueta would stay at West Ham and finally get back to his best with a clear mind and weight lifted from his shoulders.
Hammers supporters were furious when well-informed Romano claimed Paqueta wanted a fresh challenge on the eve of a 3-0 defeat at Sunderland.
With his best friend Emerson Palmieri ostracised from the squad by Potter, Paqueta has cut a lonely figure around the club of late.
That gave rise to concerns the Hammers may cash in, depleting the quality available to Potter even further.
Four clubs in race to sign West Ham star Paqueta
Romano back-pedalled somewhat when he later revealed Potter held emergency talks with the club’s owners and Paqueta himself to make it clear he wants him to stay.
Talks that appeared to go well when Paqueta suggested he would be staying at West Ham this season in the wake of the opening day defeat.
While Tottenham have made a flying start to the new campaign with Kudus shining, Aston Villa have underwhelmed.
Paqueta fired a reminder of what he is capable of in West Ham’s embarrassing 5-1 home defeat to Chelsea.
The Brazil international scored a thumping long range strike to give the Hammers the lead.
But, always capable of the sublime and ridiculous, Paqueta was then at fault for two of Chelsea’s goals, giving the ball away on the edge of his own box for one of them.
The Daily Mail reported that Paqueta is unhappy at West Ham and is interesting Spurs and Villa.
It is difficult to know what to believe at times during the transfer window, especially heading into the final week.
However, the top spokesman for West Ham’s owners has now confirmed that fierce rivals Tottenham and Aston Villa do indeed want to try and sign Paqueta.
Meanwhile two other clubs are also in the mix as the key senior contact admitted it is unclear how the situation will play out.
It was put to the West Ham board spokesman that reports were circulating Spurs and Villa were sniffing around Paqueta.
Hammers News asked the spokesman directly whether there is any chance he will be sold if the club’s valuation is met and it helps make new signings.
The same source who exclusively told Hammers News that West Ham were signing Callum Wilson before any other outlet has now responded.
Hammers board admit ‘Who knows what will happen’ over Paqueta
Confirming Tottenham’s interest in a second deal of the summer, the top spokesman for West Ham’s owners, said: “Yes (Spurs are interested in Paqueta) as well as two clubs in Saudi Arabia and Aston Villa.
“Who knows what will happen.”
If West Ham sell Paqueta to Tottenham and don’t adequately replace him, it could lead to a mutiny among the fanbase.
Surely West Ham would not press the self-destruct button so early in the new season with their Premier League status already under threat?
A sale to Aston Villa or Saudi would be more palatable for Hammers fans.
Potter promised West Ham supporters an “exciting and interesting” summer window.
It has definitely not been exciting but it is certainly starting to get interesting.
Cynics might say West Ham are using the interest so they can turn around and point to keeping Paqueta as some sort of victory for the club in the window.