Michael Jelley

The FA investigation into Hammer Lucas Paqueta over suspicious betting patterns is unlikely to finish before the end of this summer’s transfer window which is likely to put off a bid by Manchester City. The investigation is thought to have begun after Paqueta was booked late on in West Ham’s 1-1 draw with Aston Villa last season, with bookings in last May’s win over Leeds and this season’s opener against Bournemouth are also now part of the enquiry. The investigation has been slow going with the FA only asking for access to Paqueta’s mobile phone and records in October last year. Paqueta has denied the charge and says he is completely innocent and has no personal knowledge of any gambling activities on his home island. It took 18 months to clear Arsenal’a Granit Xhaka of any involvement in a similar betting scam. His investigation was conducted by the FA, Gambling Commission, and National Crime Agency after Xhaka received a suspicious yellow card against Leeds back in December 2021. Although there were suspicious betting patterns, Xhaka was found to have no connection with these irregularities after a lengthy investigation. If that case is used as a time guide then the investigation is unlikely to finish before mid September after the summer transfer window closes using the March 2023 game as a guide or as late as mid February 2025 using the Bournemouth game as a starting place.

No striker on the pitch. When we need a win. And we have a £35m international striker in the bench.