West Ham’s troubled number 10, Lucas Paquetá, is back in the headlines as reports suggest Brazilian club Flamengo—where he began his career—is keen to sign him.
Although earlier claims of a potential loan deal for the Club World Cup in June were dismissed, new stories now allege that West Ham have agreed to sell Paquetá for £29.5 million.
However, several obstacles remain. A transfer is unlikely before the FA concludes its investigation into the player, with findings still pending.
Time is running short, as the Brazilian transfer window opens from June 1 to 14, aligning with Flamengo’s preparations for the Club World Cup.
This crucial detail appears to be overlooked in the latest reports. For clarification, West Ham’s top spokesperson has been approached, and an update will follow.
Even if Flamengo are pushing for a swift and discounted deal, West Ham may have other priorities.
A bigger opportunity could lie with Manchester City, who remain interested in Paquetá. Coincidentally, West Ham are reportedly eyeing City’s James McAtee.
This could present an opportunity to use Paquetá as leverage in negotiations to bring McAtee to London Stadium.
Flamengo’s urgency is unlikely to sway West Ham co-chairman David Sullivan. The £29.5 million fee would be seen as a bargain for a player of Paquetá’s caliber—assuming he is cleared by the FA.
It’s far more likely that West Ham will wait for the investigation’s outcome and explore more financially rewarding options.
Sullivan, like Paquetá, will be watching the FA’s decision closely before making any move.
In short, while Flamengo’s interest is genuine, a summer transfer depends heavily on legal clearance and better offers—particularly from clubs like Manchester City.
