Lucas Paqueta wants to leave West Ham in the January transfer window after the club’s shocking start to the season.
The Hammers are 19th in the Premier League – four points from safety – after winning just one of their first nine games this season.
West Ham’s dismal form cost Graham Potter his job at the London Stadium but results have not picked up under his successor Nuno Espirito Santo.
The east London side drew 1-1 with Everton in Nuno’s first game in charge but have lost three games in a row since then scoring just one goal.
West Ham face an uphill battle to avoid relegation from the Championship, especially as the three promoted clubs are currently all outside of the drop zone.
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To make matters worse for West Ham, who were winning European trophies under David Moyes just two years ago, star player Paqueta has decided he wants a January move.
The Brazilian midfielder was keen to leave after he was cleared of spot-fixing charges in July but West Ham blocked a move to Aston Villa and a loan bid from Flamengo.
Paqueta is contracted to West Ham until 2027 but is pushing for a January move to enhance his chances of going to next summer’s World Cup with Brazil.
The 28-year-old is expected to be part of Brazil’s squad but playing for one of the worst teams in the Premier League and potentially suffering relegation will harm his chances.
West Ham’s stance on selling Paqueta is currently unclear but The Sun say the club would want up to £60m to part ways with the playmaker.
Manchester City were close to signing Paqueta for £85m in 2023 but the FA’s investigation into spot-fixing charges scuppered the deal.
West Ham may need to raise funds to bolster a squad that is heading for the Championship but losing a key player in Paqueta would be a blow.
According to The Times, Nuno intends to sign a new striker and defender in the winter window, while he is open to selling James Ward-Prowse, who has not featured since Potter’s sacking.
West Ham face Champions League side Newcastle United this weekend and a section of Hammers fans are planning to stage a protest against the club’s owners at the London Stadium.
Nuno’s side then face a potentially huge game against Burnley before the next international break.
Speaking after West Ham’s latest defeat – a 2-1 loss at Leeds – club captain Jarrow Bowen said: ‘Not good enough.
‘Probably a lot of reasons why [we’re struggling]. But a dressing room when you’re second bottom of the league is low. The only way this will change is if we step up and show some fight. We need more of that.
‘It’s easy to hide and be scared almost. It’s easier said and harder to do sometimes. Roll your sleeves up and dig in. No one will give this to us.
‘We’re in a real situation and we have to face the reality of that. You have to face up to the reality of where we are and we’re in trouble now.
‘We have to go out there and fight more than anything. The Premier League is the hardest league. We’re not playing well and not getting results. We need to change it. We’re the only ones that can change it.
‘We’ve talked as a group, but it’s down to the players as well. We speak to each other, but there’s only so much. It’s got to come from within.
‘Nine games we’ve had, one win and we’re second bottom. We haven’t been great at home, but now is the time to roll your sleeves up.’
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