West Ham United are willing to sell Lucas Paquetá this month only if the deal includes a loan back from Flamengo until season’s end. Flamengo’s opening €35m bid was rejected and a rise to about €40m is expected, but the Brazilian club are reluctant to agree a loan, believing they can wait to buy more cheaply in summer. West Ham, locked in a relegation fight and seven points below 17th, fear losing Paquetá now could be decisive.
Paquetá has told West Ham he wants to return to Brazil after a difficult period in England following spot-fixing allegations, which he was cleared of last year. The episode derailed a 2023 move to Manchester City and affected him emotionally. Since the investigation emerged, West Ham feel they have not seen his best form. The former Olympique Lyonnais midfielder joined in 2022 for £51m.
The Brazilian transfer window closes in March, giving Flamengo time to decide. West Ham must weigh the financial boost from a sale against the sporting risk of weakening the squad. Paquetá asked to be left out of last weekend’s FA Cup win over Queens Park Rangers, has trained this week, but is a doubt for Saturday’s match against Tottenham Hotspur with a minor knock.
Selling Paquetá would free funds for defensive reinforcements after months without a clean sheet. Interest has cooled in Charlie Cresswell amid competition from Borussia Dortmund and VfL Wolfsburg. West Ham confirmed Paco Jémez has joined Nuno Espírito Santo’s staff, with the manager urging a swift resolution to Paquetá’s future.
