West Ham have endured a turbulent summer, with several high-profile exits leaving their squad looking thin on experience. Mohammed Kudus has joined Spurs, record Premier League scorer Michail Antonio has been released, and long-serving full-backs Aaron Cresswell and Vladimír Coufal have both moved on. It’s been a painful rebuild, stripping away much of the side’s proven quality.
Recruitment has been active, but the results are mixed so far. Callum Wilson and Kyle Walker-Peters arrived with Premier League pedigree but are yet to make their mark, while goalkeeper Mads Hermansen has endured a nightmare start in his first two appearances.
WHERE ARE ALL THEM LUCAS PAQUETA HATERS NOW 🤫
— COYIrons (@COYIronscom) August 31, 2025
Our Brazilian Magnifico isn’t going anywhere and he’s committed to the cause ⚒️ pic.twitter.com/BWPuWfbDJj
There Are Positives
Not everything has been bleak. Mateus Fernandes was a major coup from Southampton and has already shown flashes of the tenacity West Ham’s midfield has been crying out for. Soungoutou Magassa also looks like a smart addition with significant long-term upside.
And now, perhaps the biggest boost of all…
❤️⚒️ Lucas Paquetá, kissing West Ham badge after official bid from Aston Villa last night. Clear message. 🇧🇷 pic.twitter.com/44PcQwN50E
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) August 31, 2025
Paquetá to Stay with West Ham
According to TalkSPORT, Lucas Paquetá will remain at West Ham after the club rejected a £47m approach from Aston Villa.
Villa had hoped to secure the Brazilian on an initial loan with an obligation to buy, but the Hammers flatly refused — standing firm on their valuation of over £60m.
The decision comes after earlier links to Tottenham, though Spurs’ £51.8m swoop for Xavi Simons from RB Leipzig has ended their interest. Manchester City are also long-time admirers, but no deal has materialised this summer.
For West Ham, keeping Paquetá is absolutely vital. Described as an “ace” by former teammate Emerson Palmieri, the Brazilian has been the standout figure in an otherwise rocky start to the campaign. Two of the team’s three league goals before this weekend came from him, and his creativity has been one of the few bright sparks in the side. Losing him now would have been catastrophic.
Instead, for once, it’s some good news. Amid all the departures and all the doom, West Ham have at least managed to hang on to their one true star.
After scoring, Lucas Paqueta celebrated by answering the phone, throwing it away and then kissing the West Ham badge.
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) August 31, 2025
This comes just hours after he was heavily linked to Aston Villa 👀 pic.twitter.com/UQP0X0hWp0
Boosted by a Big Win
The timing of this news could hardly be better. On Saturday, West Ham produced their most convincing performance of the season so far, beating Nottingham Forest 3–0 at the City Ground.
Goals from Jarrod Bowen, Callum Wilson, and Lucas Paquetá sealed a result that lifts the mood around the club and provides momentum heading into the international break.
Perhaps most significantly, Paquetá celebrated his goal by kissing the badge on his shirt — a gesture that felt like a clear signal of his intent to stay and fight for the Hammers. For the fans, it was a moment that spoke louder than any transfer rumour.
A Crucial Decision
Losing Paquetá on top of Kudus, Antonio, and other senior figures would have left West Ham dangerously short of match-winners. By standing firm, the club have sent a message that they are not prepared to lose their most influential player on the cheap.
For a team still trying to settle after so much upheaval, Paquetá’s presence offers both stability and hope. And with a thumping 3–0 win at Forest in the bag, optimism is finally creeping back into the London Stadium.
