Paqueta Wants West Ham Exit for Flamengo Amid Relegation Fight

Key Points

• Lucas Paqueta’s potential departure from West Ham United has intensified amid reports of his desire to return to Brazilian club Flamengo.
• Paqueta requested not to play in West Ham’s FA Cup third-round victory over QPR on Sunday, January 11, 2026, due to transfer interest from Flamengo.
• The 28-year-old Brazilian midfielder joined West Ham from Lyon in summer 2022 for an initial £36.5 million and has 18 months left on his contract.
• Paqueta was cleared of spot-fixing charges by an FA independent regulatory commission last year (July 2025) after a two-year investigation.
• Nearly joined Manchester City for £80-85 million in 2023 before allegations halted the deal; was close to Aston Villa last summer but stayed to repay club’s support.
• West Ham are 18th in the Premier League with 14 points from 21 matches, seven points from safety under manager Nuno Espirito Santo.
• Paqueta’s form: First assist since March 2024 in recent 2-2 draw with Brighton (December 29, 2025); 4 goals and 1 assist in 18 PL appearances this season; career at West Ham – more cards (30) than goal contributions (26).
• Flamengo prepared to bid £26-35 million; West Ham reluctant to sell mid-season but may consider if player unhappy; two PL clubs (e.g., Tottenham) interested.
• Nuno Espirito Santo opposes sale, views Paqueta as key starter for relegation fight.​

East London (East London Times) January 13, 2026
West Ham United face a pivotal decision on star midfielder Lucas Paqueta’s future as reports emerge of his strong desire to leave for Flamengo amid the Hammers’ deepening relegation crisis. The Brazil international, whose days at the London Stadium appear numbered, has authorised his agents to push for a January transfer back to his boyhood club. Paqueta’s request to sit out the recent FA Cup win over QPR underscores his disillusionment with life in England.

Why Did Paqueta Ask Not to Play Against QPR?

Paqueta did not feature in West Ham’s FA Cup third-round victory over Queens Park Rangers on Sunday, January 11, 2026, as it is understood he asked not to play amid interest from Brazilian club Flamengo. Sources told ESPN that the midfielder’s wish to rejoin his homeland club is firm, with agents transmitting his desire directly to Rio de Janeiro-based Flamengo. As reported by BBC Sport journalists, this move signals the end of Paqueta’s time in east London, following his decision to stay last summer despite Aston Villa’s advances.

What Is Paqueta’s History with West Ham and Past Transfers?

Paqueta joined West Ham from Lyon in the summer of 2022 for an initial fee of £36.5 million, playing a crucial role in their Europa Conference League triumph that season. His near-£80-85 million move to Manchester City collapsed in August 2023 due to FA spot-fixing allegations, which an independent regulatory commission cleared him of in July 2025 after a two-year probe. Last summer, Aston Villa closed in on a loan-with-obligation-to-buy deal worth around £47 million, but West Ham co-owner David Sullivan blocked it over replacement concerns and fan backlash; Paqueta chose to stay to repay the club’s faith during his ordeal.

Paqueta’s attorney, Alastair Campbell, told BBC Radio 5 Live post-clearance that his client was “overwhelmed with emotion and absolutely thrilled,” with an “immense burden lifted.” The charges related to four yellow cards in matches against Leicester City (November 2022), Aston Villa (March 2023), Leeds United (May 2023), and Bournemouth (August 2023), breaching FA Rules E5 and F3.

How Has Paqueta Performed at West Ham This Season?

This season, Paqueta has managed four goals and one assist in 18 Premier League appearances, totalling 1,522 minutes. His sole assist came in West Ham’s dramatic 2-2 draw with Brighton & Hove Albion on December 29, 2025, where he converted a penalty in stoppage time after Jarrod Bowen had opened the scoring. FootyStats data shows his goals-per-90 at 0.24 and goal involvement at five overall.

Over his entire West Ham Premier League career, Paqueta has accumulated more cards (30 yellows) than goal contributions (26), highlighting disciplinary issues. Since arriving, he has received 22 yellows, more than any other Hammer, with his defence arguing gamblers knew of this pattern. In the last 50 games, he scored six goals and two assists, averaging 69 minutes per match.

Why Is West Ham Considering Cashing In on Paqueta Now?

With West Ham seven points adrift of Premier League safety in 18th place (14 points from 21 games), manager Nuno Espirito Santo needs committed players for the run-in. ESPN sources note Nuno opposes a mid-season sale, viewing Paqueta as an “undisputed starter” vital to survival, especially in a tough January window for upgrades. However, Paqueta’s 62-game assist drought until Brighton—his first since March 2024—raises doubts over his creativity.

BBC Sport analysis questions if West Ham can rely on an “unhappy and unreliable” player, given his form slump post-investigation and disciplinary record. The club rejected Flamengo’s initial €35 million (£26-30 million) overture, believing European sides like Tottenham could bid higher, though uncertainty lingers behind the scenes. Flamengo set aside R$220 million (€35 million), but West Ham seek over €60 million.

What Does Flamengo’s Interest Mean for Paqueta’s Future?

Flamengo are ready to pay £26-35 million for Paqueta, who negotiated with them twice recently (2024 and August 2025), speaking to coach Filipe Luís without progress due to West Ham’s high demands. Sky Sports reports two unnamed Premier League clubs also eye the 28-year-old, complicating matters. Paqueta prioritises Brazil over Europe, growing disillusioned with England after the saga.

As per ESPN’s January 13, 2026, report by their football sources, Paqueta aims to “encourage” Flamengo’s bid around £35 million, which Hammers might accept despite preferring summer. His wife revealed the two-year “nightmare” post a Tottenham booking, underscoring emotional toll.

Can West Ham Survive Relegation Without Paqueta?

West Ham’s ten-match winless streak and 2-1 home loss to Nottingham Forest have intensified sack calls for Nuno, though the board backs him with transfer support. Upcoming fixtures include Tottenham away on January 17. Paqueta’s exit mid-crisis—amid a squad needing “all the help it can get”—poses risks, but an unhappy star risks underperforming.

Former West Ham boss David Moyes was set to provide a witness statement in Paqueta’s defence, attesting to his character. With Nuno freezing out players like James Ward-Prowse, squad harmony is key. Cashing in could fund reinforcements, but losing creativity (despite flaws) in relegation scraps proved costly before.

What Are the Implications for West Ham’s Transfer Strategy?

The winter window’s difficulty upgrading key roles amplifies the dilemma: retain Paqueta’s talent or sell to an unwilling player? Sources emphasise West Ham’s awareness of Flamengo’s £35 million budget, with Paqueta open if facilitated. Tottenham’s higher bid interest tempts, per ESPN.bbc+2​

Paqueta’s Lyon-to-West Ham switch yielded Europa success, but Premier League adaptation faltered amid probes. Neutral observers note his penalty prowess (e.g., vs Brighton) but question commitment. West Ham must balance finances—initial £36.5 million investment—with survival, potentially recouping profit.