West Ham kicked off their 2025/26 campaign with a shocking 3-0 defeat away at the Stadium of Light, against Sunderland. Hammers fans may be concerned, with the Black Cats alongside fellow promoted side Leeds, conducting some exciting business in their efforts to beat the drop. Graham Potter has now expressed his desires to the club regarding the potential of Lucas Paqueta getting a transfer away.
Graham Potter Expresses Desire to West Ham United for Final Weeks of Window
Lucas Paqueta Considering Proposals for Weeks
Fabrizio Romano has revealed that West Ham manager Potter has spoken to the club about Paqueta, who has been linked with a move away. The Englishman has “made clear” to them that he wants to keep the Brazilian. Paqueta started 27 matches in the top flight last season, netting four goals.
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Potter has also spoken to the player himself, who has received proposals from potential suitors. The 27-year-old has been “considering” these for weeks, though nothing concrete has materialised yet. The manager has “full trust” in the midfielder. West Ham fans will be hoping that Paqueta repays this with another season at the London Stadium.
Retaining Paqueta Is Crucial for West Ham
West Ham have already lost a key player in their attack this summer: Mohammed Kudus. The Ghanaian joined Tottenham Hotspur for £55 million, and the East London outfit have not brought in a replacement as of yet. This has left Potter pretty weak in terms of creative attacking options.
They generated just o.56 expected goals against Sunderland, and zero big chances. Jarrod Bowen and Niclas Fullkrug were strikers, with Paqueta an attacking midfielder, but behind him, the Hammers just had two deep-lying midfielders and two wing-backs. On the bench, it was a similar story: another striker in Callum Wilson, and many defensively minded midfielders.
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To lose Paqueta this summer would leave Potter with very few creative outlets. Fans will already be hoping for an attacking incoming, but if the Brazilian does depart, they will need at least two.
