West Ham's Lopetegui conundrum

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.