Lucas Paqueta Opens Up About How His £85 Million Dream Move Turned Into a Nightmare
West Ham United's midfielder Lucas Paquetá has disclosed that he sought professional psychological assistance following the dramatic collapse of an £85 million transfer deal to Manchester City at the eleventh hour.
The Brazilian star was on the verge of joining the former Premier League title holders when gambling regulation breach allegations surfaced in 2023.
In August that year, Paquetá came under scrutiny for allegedly deliberately earning yellow cards, with the Brazil national team player facing a potential lifetime suspension when formal charges were brought against him twelve months later.
Following a tribunal, Paquetá was exonerated of all gambling-related accusations in July 2025, concluding a distressing two-year ordeal that, according to the 28-year-old, left him grieving the failed transfer to City—a deal valued at an enormous £85 million ($111.8 million) before the allegations prompted Pep Guardiola's team to withdraw.
"Everyone is aware that I genuinely had a transfer opportunity with City," he shared with Globo Esporte. "I likely would have completed the signing during the week I received the notification [containing the charges]."
Paqueta: Fear Was Created Within Us
Paquetá elaborated: "From a professional standpoint, I forfeited that opportunity, that transfer, a significant advancement in my career. Mentally, I believe that's where I suffered the most impact, from the anxiety of this uncertainty, the ambiguity surrounding my future, despite understanding my identity, my actions, and my history. However, given the investigation circumstances and how the federation managed the entire situation, it instilled anxiety within us.
"Mentally, it was challenging for me; I received psychological assistance to cope with all of this, with various difficulties. But, as I mentioned, comprehending the purpose behind everything, recognizing it as God's plan, being able to share some of my spiritual journey with Him, serving as a testament of faith and perseverance, I believe that's what I gained from it, that represented my triumph.
"I'm content, significantly more at ease. That anxiety is now in the past. What they claimed would take three months extended to two years, and I managed to demonstrate my innocence, prevail in this matter, and continue pursuing what I'm passionate about without restrictions."
'The Most Significant Betting Controversy in Football History'
Despite his satisfaction with the favorable outcome, Paquetá emphasized he wasn't ready to simply move past the chaos of the previous two years.
Reports surfaced in September that Paquetá was contemplating legal action against the Football Association regarding the accusations. According to The Guardian, the Brazil international wouldn't seek compensation for the potential City earnings, but rather reimbursement for his legal defense expenses.
"There's much more I intend to discuss, with greater specificity," Paquetá promised. "But that will occur at a future time, and individuals will witness the scope of what transpired, the most significant betting controversy in English football history, the specifics of my experience, not what has been documented, because much of what has been stated is inaccurate. I will provide complete clarification.
"I'm making preparations, organizing an approach to share this narrative more effectively, with additional specifics, so it becomes more transparent and people can grasp the scope and seriousness of what occurred. And, naturally, to present my perspective in detail: the proceedings, conferences, discussions with the Federation, numerous specifics that they occasionally portrayed negatively, but which were false."
When questioned about whether he was postponing the full disclosure for legal or personal considerations, Paquetá simply responded: "Both."