West Ham midfielder Lucas Paqueta appears determined to return to his boyhood club Flamengo, with new reports revealing behind-the-scenes negotiations between Karen Brady and Nuno Espirito Santo.
Lucas Paqueta decides to leave West Ham in January
Paqueta’s bid to leave West Ham in January has escalated dramatically, with the club rejecting a fresh approach from Flamengo in the past 24 hours.
The Brazilian outfit submitted a second official offer on Thursday night, which is thought to be in the region of £36m, taking into account both guarantees and bonuses.
However, West Ham owner David Sullivan wasted little time in dismissing the approach, with insiders suggesting the offer remains well below the club’s expectations for its most expensive signing.
Paqueta has already signed a long-term contract with the Rio de Janeiro club that will keep him at the Maracanã until 2030.
The Brazil international has turned his back on several domestic suitors from England’s top flight, including Tottenham, and has made it abundantly clear that his only interest is a return to his home country this winter.
Flamengo’s director of football, Jose Boto, has spoken publicly about this pursuit, admitting that bridging the financial gap is the biggest challenge.
West Ham target Tottenham’s star player in exchange talks for Antonin Kinski
The Hammers and their rivals could do even more business in this period.
He confirmed that both parties remained keen to make the switch happen, but stressed that any deal with the Hammers would require careful negotiations and time.
An unusual solution has been floated, but if West Ham’s retention battle extends that far, Flamengo would complete a buyout now and then send Paqueta back to east London on loan until March or May.
Such an arrangement could provide a workable compromise for both clubs.
The 28-year-old has been absent from the matchday squad since the defeat to Forest earlier this month, missing back-to-back wins against QPR and Spurs.
Representatives from both sides have been working around the clock, making it inevitable that the deal will be resolved before the February deadline, especially given Paqueta’s decision to leave.
What Lucas Paqueta told Karen Brady during the tense West Ham meeting
According to TEAMtalk and journalist Graham Bailey, both Brady and Nuno held “face-to-face” talks with Paqueta today in what is said to be an increasingly tense situation.
This transfer scandal caused internal friction at the London Stadium.
Executives, including chief executive Brady and Nuno, met with Paqueta earlier in the week and urged him to keep an eye on the season as the club battles for relegation.
The midfielder gave a curt response, appearing to refuse to leave his position and insisting he wanted to leave immediately.
Despite rejecting Flamengo’s second offer for Paqueta, West Ham are still pursuing a deal for the former hero through an intermediary.
The end of this continued pursuit may not be known until March, with Brazil’s transfer window set to close until that month. Flamengo will have plenty of time to discuss a deal with West Ham.
It’s a very unwelcome distraction for the Hammers, who are currently five points clear of safety in a precarious relegation battle that could see them slip into the Championship for the first time in years.
It is in the best interest of all parties that this matter is resolved quickly, and the fact that West Ham have secured back-to-back wins without Paqueta around the team will be a real encouragement to Nuno.
It is quite a fall from grace to sign West Ham’s club record contract, coming just after Londoners stood by him through thick and thin amid his spot-fixing allegations.
West Ham now hope to finalize a late deal to sign Somerville upgrade
This goal for West Ham could help improve their chances in the relegation battle
