West Ham Confirm Paqueta's Imminent Departure to Brazilian Giants
West Ham United have officially announced that midfielder Lucas Paqueta is on the verge of leaving the club, with a permanent transfer to Brazilian side Flamengo now agreed. The Premier League outfit has granted the 28-year-old permission to undergo a medical and discuss personal terms, bringing his eventful spell in east London to a close.
£35 Million Fee Agreed for Brazilian International
A transfer fee understood to be in the region of £35 million has been finalised between the clubs, marking a significant return for the Hammers. Paqueta's departure follows his clear expression of desire to return to his homeland, driven by personal and family considerations alongside a wish for a fresh start after a challenging period.
Mental Strain from Lengthy FA Investigation Cited
The club's statement explicitly referenced the considerable mental toll taken by a protracted Football Association investigation into alleged breaches of gambling rules. This inquiry, which concluded with Paqueta's clearance in July 2025, spanned two years. West Ham acknowledged the situation caused the player "significant mental strain", a factor in their reluctant acceptance of his transfer request.
Despite initially hoping to retain his services to aid their Premier League survival battle, the club ultimately respected the player's unwavering stance. "We did everything possible to persuade Lucas to stay," the statement read, "but he remained adamant that his wish is to leave." Consequently, the head coach and club hierarchy have reluctantly agreed to facilitate his move.
Paqueta's West Ham Legacy and Club Gratitude
During his time at the London Stadium, Lucas Paqueta made a notable 139 appearances across all competitions following his arrival in 2022, finding the net 23 times. In their announcement, West Ham extended sincere thanks to the management, fellow players, staff, and the club's supporters for their "unwavering and devoted support" shown to the Brazilian throughout his tenure.
This transfer brings an end to a turbulent chapter for both player and club, with Paqueta now set to return to Brazilian football and West Ham focusing on their ongoing campaign without one of their key creative assets.
