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Lucas Paqueta has taken to social media to rubbish claims that he is seeking an exit from West Ham United in January.
In an article written by The Times on Tuesday evening, it was reported that Paqueta is eager to leave the struggling Premier League club in January after missing out on a move to Aston Villa during the summer window.
The newspaper claims Paqueta, whose contract runs until 2027, wanted the Aston Villa move after being cleared of multiple spot-fixing charges in July — but the deal was not sanctioned by West Ham with only a few days left until the transfer deadline.
Paqueta's boyhood club Flamengo also reportedly made a loan bid, which was rejected by the Hammers.
Daily Mail Sport understands neither Paqueta nor his camp have told the club he wants to leave.
The Brazilian, who has been a key first team player for the Hammers since his move to the London Stadium from Lyon in 2022, uploaded a post to social media on Tuesday which appeared to rubbish the suggestion that he is unhappy at the club.
Lucas Paqueta has taken to social media to rubbish claims that he is seeking a West Ham exit
Paqueta shared an image of himself grinning in a West Ham shirt alongside his two sons Filippo (left) and Tiziano (right) at the London Stadium - rubbishing claims he is unhappy at the club
It has been reported that the Brazilian midfielder is eager to leave West Ham in January after missing out on a move to Unai Emery's Aston Villa during the summer transfer window
Simply posting a smiling emoji, the midfielder shared an image of himself grinning in a West Ham shirt alongside his two sons Filippo and Tiziano at the London Stadium.
Paqueta, who shares his two children with wife Maria Eduarda Fournier, shared the picture on X just over an hour after the Times article was published.
West Ham have endured a turbulent start to the Premier League campaign, having sacked Graham Potter and appointed Nuno Espirito Santo, who himself was axed by Nottingham Forest earlier in the season.
The Hammers sit 19th in the Premier League after nine matches, having won just once and suffered defeat a dismal seven times already.
Their most recent loss came at the hands of newly-promoted side Leeds United, who struck twice in the opening 15 minutes on their way to a 2-1 win at Elland Road.
Prior to the two-year spot-fixing investigation against Paqueta, the midfielder was reportedly on the verge of an £83million transfer to Manchester City before the former Premier League champions backed away from the deal.
Paqueta, who has now played over 100 games for West Ham, has already chalked up more than 50 caps for Brazil, having played senior international football at all four of his former club sides Flamengo, AC Milan, Lyon and the Hammers.
