Football fans are buzzing as Lucas Paqueta gears up for a high-profile move back to his homeland.
West Ham and Flamengo have reached a verbal agreement to transfer the 28-year-old midfielder for a whopping £36 million.
Interestingly, the deal won’t see him return to London on loan for the rest of the season, marking a clean break for the Brazilian star.
Transfer Details Coming Into Focus
The clubs are currently finalizing the payment structure, and the move is expected to be formalized in writing within the next 24 hours.
Flamengo had initially offered £30.3 million, which West Ham rejected, but both sides have now agreed on the larger fee.
Paqueta has also sorted out personal terms with the Rio-based club, clearing one of the final hurdles.
A Fractured Season in London
Paqueta’s time at West Ham has been turbulent.
He hasn’t featured since the 2-1 defeat to Nottingham Forest back in January.
Following that game, he declined to play in the FA Cup clash against QPR and has also been dealing with a back injury.
His absence from the squad has left fans and club officials wondering about his future for some time.
The Player’s Desire to Return Home
It’s clear Paqueta wants to head back to Brazil, and Flamengo has been patient in negotiations.
While West Ham initially hoped to sell him only if he could return on loan for the remainder of the season, the team has found new confidence, winning their last two league matches against Tottenham and Sunderland.
They now sit five points behind Nottingham Forest, showing they can manage without the midfielder.
Why Flamengo and West Ham Took Different Stances
Flamengo preferred a straight transfer rather than a loan-back arrangement, reasoning that they could potentially secure Paqueta for less money in the summer when his contract is closer to expiring.
West Ham, on the other hand, felt a twinge of disappointment.
The club had stood by Paqueta during the long spot-fixing investigation, which ended with him being cleared in July 2025 after nearly two years of scrutiny.
What Happens Next?
With the deal nearly complete, Paqueta looks set to return to Brazil immediately.
Both clubs will finalize the financial details soon, and the midfielder will likely begin a new chapter with Flamengo without any further interruptions to the season.
West Ham fans will now be watching closely to see how the team performs without one of their most high-profile stars.
Share on Facebook «||» Share on Twitter «||» Share on Reddit «||» Share on LinkedIn