West Ham have set an “asking price” for Lucas Paqueta, according to journalist Graeme Bailey.

Speaking to Hammers News, Bailey said that the Brazilian is not considering leaving the London Stadium, but a sale could still happen in January if a team is prepared to pay £60m:

“West Ham have issues in terms of having to raise funds to buy, so that does mean that inevitably the big names and most sellable assets are going to be linked.”

“Paqueta is not looking to leave and West Ham not looking to sell. But if someone comes in with this asking price, which is around £60 million, I am told, then, yeah, he could go.”

Paqueta flirted with a move in the summer

Both Tottenham and Aston Villa were said to be in talks to sign the 28-year-old, but the midfielder ultimately stayed at the club.

There is still reportedly a longstanding interest in Paqueta from Manchester City, while he has been regularly linked with a return to his former club Flamengo, but any move would depend on the £60m valuation being met.

Selling a key player would weaken West Ham’s squad further

Nuno will need funds for the January transfer window, so offloading players to generate the requisite cash has to be considered.

However, Paqueta is a top-class player, and if he is allowed to leave, there is a good chance that the Irons would be weakening their squad, rather than strengthening it, as the replacements brought in are unlikely to possess the same quality.

For the January window to be successful, keeping hold of Paqueta should be a priority, whilst adding more options in other positions, particularly up front. Of course, that is easier said than done with PSR, but the priority has to be staying in the top flight, rather than worrying about the club’s accounts.

Read more about the West Ham First Team Squad for 2025/26 here