West Ham United are willing to sell Lucas Paquetá this month only if the deal includes a loan back from Flamengo until the end of the season. Flamengo’s opening €35m bid was rejected and, although they are prepared to raise it to about €40m, they are reluctant to loan the midfielder back, believing they can wait and secure him more cheaply in the summer. West Ham, locked in a relegation battle and sitting seven points behind 17th, fear losing Paquetá now would severely damage their survival chances.
Paquetá wants to return to Brazil after becoming disillusioned in England following spot-fixing allegations that derailed a 2023 move to Manchester City. Although cleared last year, the episode affected him emotionally and his form has dipped since the investigation emerged. West Ham, who paid £51m for him in 2022, are weighing whether keeping an unsettled player is worthwhile. Paquetá asked to be left out of last weekend’s FA Cup tie, has reported a minor knock, and is a doubt to face Tottenham Hotspur.
Manager Nuno Espírito Santo says the situation must be resolved quickly, stressing Paquetá remains one of the club’s best players. A sale would free funds for defensive reinforcements, with West Ham still searching for solutions after failing to keep a clean sheet since August.
