Fakayejo Paul
LONDON — West Ham United’s midfield star Lucas Paquetá has officially informed the club of his desire to leave London and return to Brazil to join Flamengo.
The saga, which has dominated the January 2026 window, took a decisive turn this week. Sources close to the player, including journalist Fabrizio Romano, confirm that Paquetá reached a full agreement on personal terms with the Brazilian giants days ago.
The 28-year-old is reportedly willing to take a pay cut to facilitate the move, citing a desire for a “fresh start” in his homeland following his clearance from past betting allegations.
Key Developments:
- The Request: Paquetá has asked to be omitted from recent matchday squads—including the FA Cup tie against QPR—to avoid injury while negotiations continue.
- The Valuation Gap: Flamengo has already seen a bid of approximately €35m–€40m rejected. West Ham, currently embroiled in a Premier League relegation battle, have held out for a figure closer to €60m.
- Shifting Stance: Despite the Hammers’ initial reluctance to sell their creative engine mid-season, the club is now reportedly more open to “opening the doors” to an exit. Manager Nuno Espírito Santo faces the dilemma of keeping a disillusioned player or securing a massive fee to reinvest in the squad.
Flamengo officials are expected in London over the next 48 hours for a fresh round of talks. With the player’s heart set on the Maracanã, the pressure has shifted entirely onto the West Ham board to finalize a deal before the window shuts.