Exclusive: ‘Bully’ – West Ham confirm Paqueta’s shocking stance on future with clear winner between Villa and Spurs
The final days of the summer transfer window are always a time of high drama, and this year is proving to be no exception.
At the center of one of the most compelling stories is West Ham United’s Brazilian playmaker, Lucas Paqueta. The 28-year-old has become the subject of intense interest from two Premier League rivals, Aston Villa and Tottenham Hotspur, and the situation has taken a dramatic turn as the player himself has now taken decisive action to force a move away from the London Stadium.
According to exclusive reports, Paqueta has informed West Ham that he does not want to play in the club’s upcoming match against Nottingham Forest.
This is not the first time he has taken such a step—he adopted a similar stance two years ago when a move to Manchester City was on the table—but the timing and context make this latest development particularly significant.
The player is said to be concerned about risking an injury that could scupper a potential transfer, and he is determined to secure a move before the window closes.
What makes this situation even more intriguing is the confirmation from a top spokesman for West Ham’s owners that Paqueta is not alone in trying to force an exit.
The spokesman described the situation as players attempting to “bully their way out on the cheap,” a clear indication of the growing tension behind the scenes.
This sense of unrest is compounded by the fact that Paqueta’s close friend and teammate, Emerson Palmieri, has also been sidelined and is reportedly close to a move away from the club.
For West Ham, this presents a difficult dilemma. On one hand, the club has publicly insisted that they are under no financial pressure to sell and will only allow Paqueta to leave on their terms.
On the other hand, the reality is that the club’s recent spending spree—which includes the signings of midfielders Mateus Fernandes and Soungoutou Magassa for a combined £60 million suggests that funds may need to be generated to balance the books.
The potential sale of Paqueta could provide the financial flexibility needed to further strengthen the squad in other areas.
Aston Villa and Tottenham have both emerged as serious suitors, but the dynamics of the race are shifting. Villa, who recently sold Jacob Ramsey to Newcastle for £43 million, have some funds available and have already opened official talks.
However, their initial offer is understood to be around £35 million, which falls well short of West Ham’s valuation. Tottenham, meanwhile, had shown strong interest but are believed to have cooled their pursuit following the signing of Xavi Simons from RB Leipzig.
This leaves Villa in the driver’s seat, but they will need to significantly improve their offer if they want to secure the deal. West Ham are holding out for a fee of at least £50 million, plus add-ons, and they are unlikely to budge unless that figure is met.
For Paqueta, the preference is said to be a move to Villa, where he would have the opportunity to work under a ambitious manager and compete in European football.
As the clock ticks down to Monday’s deadline, the pressure is building on all sides. Will Aston Villa meet West Ham’s asking price? Can Tottenham be tempted back into the race?
And how will West Ham fans react if another key player is sold to a direct rival? One thing is certain: the outcome of this transfer saga will have a major impact on all three clubs involved.