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.
