'/%3e%3cdefs%3e%3clinearGradient%20id='prefix__paint0_linear_4737_37157'%20x1='3.018'%20y1='23.6'%20x2='44.925'%20y2='24.977'%20gradientUnits='userSpaceOnUse'%3e%3cstop%20stop-color='%231CB7FF'/%3e%3cstop%20offset='.502'%20stop-color='%232FF58B'/%3e%3c/linearGradient%3e%3c/defs%3e%3c/svg%3e)
Lucas Paqueta sends brutal message to Aston Villa with West Ham goal celebration
Aug 31 2025 17:38 · By Liam Grace
· View Original
Lucas Paqueta mimicked picking up a phone before throwing it away (Picture: Getty)
West Ham star Lucas Paqueta has appeared to brutally snub transfer interest from Aston Villa with his celebration against Nottingham Forest.
Villa have made a late approach to sign Paqueta on loan with an obligation to buy for around £50m ahead of deadline day in the summer window.
But the 28-year-old Brazilian has indicated that he has no desire to swap West Ham for Villa after starting and scoring in his club’s 3-0 win at Forest on Sunday.
After slotting home an 88th-minute penalty, Paqueta mimicked picking up a phone and throwing it away before kissing the West Ham badge.
Paqueta, who mainly operates as an attacking midfielder, has made 124 appearances for West Ham since joining the club from Lyon in 2022.
West Ham head coach Graham Potter was quizzed after the victory over Forest if Paqueta would remain at the London Stadium ahead of Monday’s 7pm transfer deadline and said: ‘Yes.
‘The noise has been around Lucas for a long time and the way he conducts himself is incredible.
Aston Villa made a late approach to sign Lucas Paqueta (Picture: Getty)
‘He gave everything for the team again today and contributed with a goal and the win.’
Jarrod Bowen, West Ham’s captain, has told Hammers supporters to ‘not believe everything you read online’.
‘Some people didn’t think he’d turn up and play but he turned up and scored,’ Bowen said.
Lucas Paqueta was hailed by his manager and captain after the game (Picture: Getty)
Meanwhile, West Ham have reportedly rejected the chance to sign Manchester United goalkeeper Andre Onana.
According to the Daily Mail , the Red Devils offered West Ham the opportunity to take Onana on loan but they felt he was no better than their current goalkeeping options.
Onana was dropped from United’s XI after their shocking Carabao Cup exit to Grimsby Town on Wednesday with Altay Bayindir taking his spot for the 3-2 win over Burnley on Saturday.
However, the Hammers are interested in a deal to sign Arsenal flop Fabio Vieira before Monday’s deadline, according to reports.