West Ham's Lopetegui conundrum
- Published
Lucas Paqueta's FA betting charge leaves West Ham with a bit of a problem.
Lots of clubs are interested in signing the Brazil playmaker this summer and he would presumably bring in a huge fee to help fund new manager Julen Lopetegui's squad-building plans.
But Paqueta is due to play at Copa America this summer, so presumably there is unlikely to be a hearing until August at the earliest.
That would probably mean he will not be sold before the transfer deadline closes on 30 August, which will leave Lopetegui without a fee to invest.
He will have a player though - at least until judgement comes on Paqueta.
If he is found guilty - and he denies the charges strenuously - the ban is likely to be lengthy.