Lucas Paqueta posted on social media for the first time in almost six months of what has been a turbulent time for the Brazilian – facing a potential career-ending ban.
Paqueta has had spot fixing charges hanging over him for the last two years and the FA investigation thwarted his likely £80million move to Man City, though he is now expected to be cleared.
After scoring for West Ham in their 2-1 win over Everton in pre-season, Paqueta, took to X with a simple post.
He shared the image of his celebration, pointing to the sky and putting one hand on his chest.
It was accompanied by the word God and a heart emoji.
Mail Sport learned the Hammers are open to letting Paqueta leave for less than half of that old £80m valuation now that he is in line to be found innocent of picking up yellow cards on purpose in Premier League fixtures to influence betting outcomes.
Lucas Paqueta broke his social media silence after scoring for West Ham against Everton
The Brazilian has endured a nightmare two years with the betting charges hanging over him
It is believed a bid in the region of £30m in this window could be enough to convince the Hammers to part with their star midfielder.
Paqueta showed on Wednesday night that he can still offer quality on the pitch as he bids to put a nightmare couple of years behind him.
He shared a warm embrace with former boss David Moyes before kick-off but then proved a thorn in the Scot’s side.
After Idrissa Gueye had given the Toffees the lead, Paqueta capitalised on a dreadful goalkeeper error when Mark Travers flapped at a punch on the edge of the box.
The Brazilian toe poked the ball home before Niclas Fullkrug added the second to give the Hammers a win.
Official confirmation of Paqueta’s innocence of the betting charges has not yet come from the FA.
But as Kieran Gill reported, he appears to have won the massive two-year fight to save his career. He was facing a potential life ban if found guilty.
Mail Sport broke the story of the FA’s probe into Paqueta back in August 2023.
Paqueta could leave West Ham this summer and they would be willing to accept around £30m
That led to Paqueta being charged in May 2024 with four counts of spot‑fixing – relating to cautions shown in Premier League fixtures against Leicester City, Aston Villa, Leeds United, and Bournemouth – and a further two of obstructing an FA investigation.
It is not yet known whether he has beaten every single charge with an announcement expected within the coming days.
West Ham have been furious with how the FA allowed their investigation to drag on for so long but are now ready to part ways if a suitable offer arrives, with Flamengo in his homeland interested in a possible move.
Paqueta’s current contract expires in 2027, though West Ham do hold the option of tying him down for an additional year. They signed him for £51m from Lyon in 2022.
