Lucas Paqueta is understood to be forcing an exit from West Ham to return to his old club Flamengo as he looks to leave the Premier League after he was involved in a betting scandal
West Ham are determined to keep hold of Lucas Paqueta this month, despite the Brazilian midfielder’s desire to rejoin former club Flamengo following a betting scandal.
Manager Nuno Espirito Santo declared the player was “not ready to play” during Sunday’s FA Cup clash with QPR. Paqueta had asked to be left out due to carrying an injury. However, the £51million ace finds himself caught in a transfer battle, with Paqueta eager to depart for both personal and professional reasons whilst the Hammers desperately need him for their fight against relegation.
Brazilian champions Flamengo are prepared to offer €40m (£34.7m) for the 28-year-old, whose contract expires at the end of next season.
Losing one of their star performers would leave West Ham significantly weakened – and would further anger an already frustrated fanbase – though they could use the funds to bolster their squad during the January window.
However, blocking a move would upset Paqueta, who admitted he required “psychological support” after his proposed switch to Manchester City fell through at the eleventh hour when match-fixing allegations emerged in 2023.
The charges were subsequently dropped in July last year, with Aston Villa then attempting to secure his signature.
Speaking to Brazilian broadcaster GE in November, Paqueta also disclosed he had discussed a return to Flamengo over the past two summers. “I understood that it wasn’t the right time, but I know the doors will always be open for me,” he explained. “I know that at some point this return will happen.”
In August, he scored a penalty against Nottingham Forest and mimicked throwing a phone away and kissed the club badge in an attempt to quash transfer rumours. But, after receiving two yellow cards for dissent against Liverpool in November, he criticised the FA for not offering him sufficient support.
Paqueta hasn’t managed to replicate the form of his debut season in English football, but he’s still managed to score five times across all competitions this season, making him the second highest scorer behind Jarrod Bowen.
The Brazilian ace is believed to be unhappy with life in London and is keen to return home to bolster his chances of being included in Carlo Ancelotti’s World Cup squad.
West Ham are currently languishing in 18th place in the Premier League, seven points adrift of safety, and are set to face off against Tottenham in a London derby on Saturday. Their new £26m striker Taty Castellanos scored his first goal for the Hammers in their 2-1 victory over QPR.