Lucas Paqueta has officially informed West Ham United of his desire to leave the club and return to Brazilian giants Flamengo, where his professional journey began.
According to Fabrizio Romano, the midfielder has already agreed personal terms with Flamengo and the Rio de Janeiro side are preparing new negotiations with West Ham in the coming days.
Lucas Paqueta wants to return to Flamengo – negotiations to intensify
Flamengo have been working quietly but persistently behind the scenes to bring Paqueta home.
Talks between the player’s representatives and the Brazilian club progressed rapidly last week and a full agreement was reached on personal terms.
The move has taken a major step forward as Paqueta has officially announced his intention to leave the Premier League club.
A source close to Flamengo believes West Ham could be willing to “soften their position”, especially now that the player himself is pushing for a move.
A complicated departure for West Ham United
Paqueta’s situation comes at a delicate time for the Hammers. The Brazilian has been one of the team’s most influential players since joining from Lyon in 2022.
Losing him midway through the season would be a huge blow to their chances of survival in the Premier League.
However, the Hammers are aware that retaining unfortunate players is unlikely to yield positive results.
Flamengo, on the other hand, are pushing aggressively. They see Paqueta not only as a strong player, but also as a symbolic return of their most successful academy graduate.
Flamengo are expected to submit a new proposal within the next few days, tailored to reflect West Ham’s expectations. English clubs have previously resisted any approach in January, but insiders now sense the momentum is shifting.
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