There has been a major boost as an official announcement from West Ham drops a transfer hint over linked-away duo Lucas Paqueta and Gianluca Scamacca.
It is fair to say the scintillating form of Lucas Paqueta in the last few months of the season softened the blow of the prospect of life without Declan Rice at West Ham next term.
The Brazilian was in a class of his own for the run-in and – alongside Jarrod Bowen – was comfortably West Ham’s most influential player in that period.
With Rice on his way to Arsenal for a British transfer record £105m, Hammers supporters have taken comfort in knowing they still had Paqueta.
So recent reports from sources close to the West Ham boardroom that Paqueta’s change of agent is part of a push to leave the club this summer have had fans deeply concerned.
Especially as the agent switch has coincided with West Ham’s record signing being linked to mega rich PSG and Newcastle.
Paqueta is not the only big money Hammers signing from last summer being linked with a move away after just one season.
Speculation over the future of Gianluca Scamacca has been relentless in recent months. The Italian has literally been linked with a third of the clubs in Serie A.
Scamacca divides opinion at West Ham. But most fans have seen enough of his finishing power and prowess to want him to stay and make the move work next season.
As a result of the rumours, West Ham fans who give any credence to the old saying goes ‘there’s no smoke without fire’ will have been worried that both Paqueta and Scamacca might leave.
But there’s been a major boost as an official announcement from West Ham drops a transfer hint over linked-away duo Paqueta and Scamacca.
West Ham have today announced that Paqueta has requested – and been given – the famous number 10 shirt.
And Scamacca has also had his request accepted to change his number from seven to the 11 vacated by Paqueta.
Paqueta’s number 10 has been worn by West Ham legends such as Trevor Brooking and Paolo Di Canio.
The shirt carries a lot of history and weight and, realistically, West Ham would never have agreed to that number change for the Brazilian if there was any chance he might leave.
It would be a PR disaster for the club given fans can now buy the kits and have those players names and numbers on their new shirts.
Scamacca changing his number also suggests he will be sticking around. Although given it was Paqueta’s old number – and the fact his previous number at Sassuolo was 91 – perhaps less can be read into that.
But it does tally with Guardian journalist Jacob Steinberg, reporting over the weekend that West Ham want to keep the 6ft 5in forward and believe he will come good in his second season.
Supporters will also be excited given Paqueta and Scamacca showed flashes they can link up exceptionally well together. And that was before Paqueta hit anything like his groove while Scamacca’s season was severely disrupted – and ended prematurely – by injury.
Fans may also see two other number changes as significant.
Because both Alphonse Areola and Maxwel Cornet have also been linked with departures. Yet Areola has chosen the number 23 – presumably in honour of one of his heroes Michael Jordan. And Cornet has switched from 14 to 17.
It should be noted, though, West Ham’s announcement does come with the standard football club disclaimer, which states:
“The Club does not advise squad personalisation on shirts while the transfer window is still open. Items with custom printing cannot be exchanged or refunded unless the product is faulty. Furthermore, if a player changes his number at any time we cannot offer a refund or an exchange on this shirt (this does not affect your statutory rights).“
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