West Ham United midfielder Lucas Paqueta has been through a tough time in recent years, and he has been heavily linked with a move away from the club.

Lucas Paqueta has endured a topsy-turvy ride since joining West Ham United from Lyon in a £51 million deal, and was embroiled in fixing allegations in the last two years. However, he has now been given a clean chit. He has been linked with multiple clubs in recent weeks, but Karren Brady has now revealed via talkSPORT that the West Ham United star will stay at the club beyond this summer.

Brady said, “It’s been a really tough time for Lucas. It’s such a serious allegation and it was really hanging over him and the FA were going for a worldwide lifetime ban. So the seriousness of the situation was incredible.

“He was, from day one when the accusation was made, absolutely resolute in the fact that he had nothing to do with this. There was no evidence that he had anything to do with it. So it came as a real relief. But we always took the view that we completely believed in him.

“We stood right the way alongside him throughout the whole scenario. My advice to the manager and to him is just to carry on until we know any different. And that’s exactly what we did. I think he wants to stay and we definitely want him to stay. So the thing is, he’ll be staying.”

There is no doubt that Lucas Paqueta is a top-class player, and keeping him at the club will be a boost for West Ham. The Hammers have already sanctioned the departure of Mohammed Kudus earlier this summer, and they cannot afford to lose multiple players in one window. Graham Potter has also been eager to keep the Brazilian at the East London outfit.

It will be interesting to see if Paqueta can get his career back on track and recapture his peak form. He was linked with top clubs like Manchester City because of his impressive performances in the Premier League. There is no doubt that he will be attracted to the idea of joining elite clubs in future. It remains to be seen how the situation develops.

Now that the 27-year-old Brazilian midfielder has been handed a clean chit, it would not be a surprise if top clubs came calling for him. However, West Ham seem adamant about keeping him at the club. A deal to take him away from the London club will be difficult this summer. Any club hoping to sign him might have to wait until next summer.