Alan Pardew fears West Ham may still lose Lucas Paqueta this summer, despite being found innocent of spot fixing charges.

The former Hammers boss between 2003 and 2006 still has a lot of love for the club and is worried about the future of Brazil midfielder Lucas Paqueta, whether or not he will be at the club at the end of the transfer window.

“I think the key challenge is Paqueta. What is he going to do? Is he going to stay?,” Pardew wonders, speaking to talkSPORT. “Offensively, he is such an asset to West Ham. He’s a player who can produce a magic moment. For the fanbase, it would be a massive blow for him to go.”

The Irons have already lost Kudus to rivals Tottenham Hotspur this summer, to lose Paqueta as well would mean a huge attacking shake up. Not only would we be losing Paqueta, we would be losing a rejuvenated Paqueta. With the threat and worry of a lifetime ban off of his back he could be in line for an excellent season, and if he is, he will easily be one of our best and most important players.

Pardew who led West Ham to the FA Cup final in 2006, is also worried about the club outside of the 27-year-old midfielder. He said: “I think with the way Potter manages, what he wants to create at West Ham, he has a big challenge on his hands there. It’s not looking great at West Ham with the transfer window, with what they’ve done [so far].”

However, if West Ham keep Paqueta, sign a new number one goalkeeper, a couple of starting quality midfielders and a striker to compete with Fullkrug, there really could be an exciting season on the horizon for those in claret and blue.