West Ham: Lucas Paqueta sends Aston Villa clear transfer message after helping Hammers to huge win | OneFootball

Graham Potter is hopeful the midfielder will stay despite being linked with a mvoe away

Lucas Paqueta appeared to put to bed rumours of his departure after kissing the West Ham badge as his penalty helped the Hammers seal their first win of the season against Nottingham Forest.

Paqueta has been the subject of transfer interest from Aston Villa, but the Brazilian reacted to speculation by coolly slotting away his penalty into the bottom corner before celebrating by pretending to pick up a phone as if to answer a transfer call and kissing the West Ham badge.

Paqueta has been in fine goalscoring form despite West Ham’s difficult start to the season, with this his third goal in as many games.

The 27-year-old was cleared of any wrongdoing in an FA hearing into spot fixing charges earlier this summer, and the midfielder now looks set to stay at West Ham this season, with manager Graham Potter praising his commitment.

“You saw a committed performance from someone who cares about the team,” Potter said.

Asked whether he expects Paqueta to remain at the club, he said: “Yeah.”

West Ham head into the international break with fresh optimism after picking up three points for the first time this season.

They return from the internationals with two London derbies at home to Tottenham and Crystal Palace.