West Ham chief Tim Steidten insists club's summer transfer strategy has not been impacted by Lucas Paqueta's spot-fixing charges
The FA have investigated four bookings Paqueta received in 2022 and 2023The West Ham midfielder has now been charged with breaking betting rulesLISTEN to It's All Kicking Off! EUROS DAILY: Rallying cry from England fans - why it's time to back Gareth Southgate
West Ham technical director Tim Steidten has insisted the uncertainty around Lucas Paqueta is not affecting their transfer strategy, with the forward awaiting his case to be heard after being charged for breaking the Football Association’s betting rules.
Paqueta is accused of deliberately being booked in four Premier League matches so that either he and his friends could profit from bets placed on him being carded.
The Brazilian strenuously denies any wrongdoing and has the full support of his club and Steidten said they are planning for him to be available for the upcoming season.
‘It’s not so difficult, to be honest, because the information we have is quite easy, that he is part of our team and he can play for us,’ Steidten said.
‘I don’t have so many thoughts on this one, as long as nobody told me or us something else. Of course, we have to react, but at the moment he is part of our team and it’s not really a big issue for us.
Lucas Paqueta is accused of deliberately being booked in four Premier League matches
- 'England don't look like a team, they've got away with one again'
- PODCAST: Time for England to step it up as judgement day arrives
- PODCAST: 'Ronaldo never accepted him': Why Ralf Rangnick failed
- EUROS PODCAST: Will any other nations be AFRAID to play England?
- EUROS DAILY: Sub-par Scotland sent packing as Lineker rattles England
‘He is a member of our family and we are looking forward to seeing him.’
Lopetegui also gave his support to the forward, who is currently playing in Copa America for Brazil.
‘We know that he and his family have suffered and have suffered a lot in this moment I like when I see him smiling in the last match because he’s enjoying to play football.
‘We are his family. He has his family in Brazil and here in England.’
Steidten also insisted the club will not have to sell players to comply with the Premier League’s profit and sustainability rules and promised a ‘busy summer’ of transfer activity.
Tim Steidten has insisted the uncertainty around Lucas Paqueta is not affecting their strategy
‘The board and the owner did a good job in the last couple of years,’ Steidten said. ‘We are able to spend money and don’t have to sell.
‘I cannot tell you about the typical positions or player names but it will be a busy summer for all of us.’