West Ham United midfielder Lucas Paquetá has informed the club of his desire to return to Brazil this month, sparking a potential transfer battle with Flamengo reportedly preparing a significant offer.
Paquetá's Transfer Request and Injury Concerns
The Brazilian international, who joined the Hammers in 2022 for a club-record fee, did not feature in Sunday's FA Cup clash against Queens Park Rangers. It is understood that Paquetá personally requested to be left out of the squad amid the ongoing speculation about his future.
Officially, the 26-year-old is managing a persistent back issue. This same problem caused him to miss the 3-0 defeat to Wolverhampton Wanderers and led to his second-half substitution in last week's 2-1 home loss to Nottingham Forest.
Flamengo's Interest and West Ham's Stance
Flamengo is one of two Brazilian clubs keen on signing Paquetá and is reportedly willing to table an offer of around £35 million for the playmaker. However, with Paquetá's contract at the London Stadium still having 18 months to run, West Ham are deeply reluctant to sanction a sale during the January window.
The club views Paquetá as a crucial player in their battle to avoid relegation from the Premier League. Despite interest from Tottenham Hotspur and Aston Villa last summer, the player's clear preference is for a move back to his homeland. No formal bid has been received by West Ham at this stage, and it is widely expected any major move will be delayed until the summer.
Background and Club Disappointment
West Ham's hierarchy is said to be disappointed by Paquetá's decision to push for an exit. The club stood by the player during a near two-year Football Association investigation into alleged betting rule breaches. Paquetá was cleared of all spot-fixing charges last summer, with the club offering support throughout the lengthy process.
The situation presents a complex dilemma for manager David Moyes. Losing a player of Paquetá's calibre mid-season would be a significant blow, yet retaining an unhappy star could disrupt squad harmony. All eyes are now on whether Flamengo will formalise their interest with a concrete bid that tests West Ham's resolve.
