Flamengo Bid £35m for Paquetá from West Ham

Key Points

• Flamengo have submitted an offer worth up to £35 million ($46.9m) for West Ham United midfielder Lucas Paquetá.
• The bid comprises a £30m fixed fee payable in instalments, plus £5m in performance-related add-ons.
• Although the offer falls short of West Ham’s £40m valuation, Flamengo remain confident of reaching an agreement before the Premier League transfer window closes on 2 February 2026.
• Paquetá, a Brazil international, has 18 months remaining on his contract with West Ham and has already agreed personal terms with Flamengo until December 2029.
• The player, who joined West Ham from Lyon in the summer of 2022, wishes to return to his boyhood club in Brazil this month for personal and professional reasons.
• West Ham initially valued Paquetá at £44m but reduced the asking price to £40m following an internal meeting with shareholders earlier this month.
• West Ham head coach Nuno Espírito Santo opposes Paquetá’s mid-season departure, viewing the 28-year-old as an undisputed starter and key player in the club’s relegation battle.
• Espírito Santo has spoken directly to Paquetá this week and understands his desire to leave, despite his own reservations.
• Paquetá has recorded four goals and one assist in 18 Premier League appearances this season; his last match was on 6 January 2026, missing subsequent wins against Queens Park Rangers and Tottenham.
• West Ham have omitted Paquetá from the squad for their upcoming Premier League home match against Sunderland on Saturday.
• In a press conference on Thursday, Espírito Santo confirmed: “He [Paquetá] isn’t going to be in the squad for this match,” adding that the club must handle the situation day by day.
• West Ham sit 18th in the Premier League table, one place and five points from safety.

London (East London Times) January 23, 2026 – Flamengo have launched a £35 million bid for West Ham United’s Brazilian midfielder Lucas Paquetá, sources close to the negotiations have confirmed, as the club races to secure a deal before the transfer window shuts on 2 February. The offer, comprising £30 million in fixed instalments plus £5 million in add-ons, falls below West Ham’s £40 million valuation but has not deterred the Rio de Janeiro giants’ optimism.​

What Is Flamengo’s Offer for Lucas Paquetá?

Flamengo’s proposal totals up to £35 million ($46.9 million), structured as a £30 million guaranteed fee spread across instalments, supplemented by £5 million in achievable add-ons, according to reports from ESPN Brasil. This bid arrives amid Paquetá’s strong desire to return to his boyhood club, where he has already finalised personal terms extending until December 2029.

Although it does not match West Ham’s current £40 million asking price – lowered from an initial £44 million following a shareholders’ meeting earlier this month – Flamengo sources express confidence in negotiating a breakthrough before the deadline.​

As detailed in ESPN Brasil coverage, the Brazilian outfit’s proactive approach underscores their determination to repatriate the 28-year-old Brazil international during this January window. Paquetá’s contract at the London Stadium has 18 months left, positioning West Ham to potentially capitalise on his market value despite the mid-season timing.​

Why Does Lucas Paquetá Want to Leave West Ham?

Paquetá harbours a clear ambition to depart West Ham midway through the season, driven by personal and professional motivations, as revealed through direct discussions with head coach Nuno Espírito Santo this week. The midfielder, who arrived from Lyon in the summer of 2022, has voiced his yearning to rejoin Flamengo, the club of his formative years. This personal pull aligns with his agreement on a long-term deal until 2029, signalling a homecoming that could reshape his career trajectory.​

His on-pitch contributions this season – four goals and one assist across 18 Premier League outings – highlight his value, yet recent absences underline the brewing uncertainty. Paquetá’s last appearance came on 6 January 2026, after which he sat out victories over Queens Park Rangers and Tottenham, fuelling speculation around his immediate future.​

What Is West Ham’s Valuation and Stance on the Transfer?

West Ham initially set Paquetá’s price at £44 million but, after an internal review with shareholders earlier in January 2026, adjusted it downwards to £40 million. This recalibration reflects pragmatic considerations amid the club’s precarious league position, though it still exceeds Flamengo’s current tender. Sources indicate the Hammers remain open to offers that meet their threshold, balancing financial gain against squad stability.​

The east London outfit’s 18th-place standing – one spot and five points from safety – amplifies the stakes, with Paquetá’s potential exit posing risks to their survival bid. Nonetheless, the lowered valuation suggests willingness to entertain serious proposals as the window progresses.​

What Has Nuno Espírito Santo Said About Paquetá’s Future?

West Ham coach Nuno Espírito Santo has reluctantly accepted the possibility of losing Paquetá, having conversed with the player this week to grasp his personal and professional rationale for seeking a move. In Thursday’s pre-match press conference, the Portuguese manager stated:

“Everyone knows my opinion about Lucas, but we have to deal with his situation day by day, and try to find a solution.”

He elaborated:

“All the things that have happened in the past have created problems, and now that’s finished, I hope Lucas and the club can find a solution so we can move forward.”​

Espírito Santo deems Paquetá an “undisputed starter” and vital asset in the relegation scrap, opposing a mid-season sale. Confirming the player’s exclusion from Saturday’s home clash against Sunderland, he remarked: “He [Paquetá] isn’t going to be in the squad for this match.” This decision follows Espírito Santo’s earlier admission of understanding Paquetá’s position, as covered by ESPN Brasil.​

How Has Paquetá Performed for West Ham This Season?

Since linking up from Lyon in 2022, Paquetá has been a mainstay, registering four goals and one assist in 18 Premier League appearances during the 2025-26 campaign. His creativity and No. 10 role have proven instrumental, though recent omissions – including back-to-back triumphs over Queens Park Rangers and Tottenham – signal transfer turbulence. At 28, the Brazil international’s form positions him as a prime target, blending proven output with international pedigree.​

What Is the Transfer Window Deadline and Flamengo’s Confidence Level?

The Premier League’s January transfer window closes on 2 February 2026, providing a tight timeframe for resolution. ESPN Brasil reports Flamengo’s belief that a deal remains feasible within this period, despite the valuation gap. Their structured bid and Paquetá’s pre-agreed terms bolster this outlook, potentially swaying West Ham amid relegation pressures.​

What Are the Implications for West Ham’s Relegation Fight?

Languishing in 18th, five points from salvation, West Ham confront heightened peril should Paquetá depart. Espírito Santo’s reliance on the midfielder as a key starter underscores the potential disruption, especially with Sunderland looming. A successful sale at £40 million could fund reinforcements, yet timing remains critical in their survival crusade.​

Background on Paquetá’s West Ham Tenure

Paquetá’s £44 million arrival from Lyon in 2022 marked a marquee signing, yet his tenure now nears a crossroads. With 18 months on his deal, the club faces a window to recoup value before any further depreciation. Flamengo’s pursuit revives his Brazilian roots, contrasting the Premier League grind.​

This unfolding saga, drawn comprehensively from ESPN Brasil’s detailed reporting, encapsulates a pivotal transfer narrative blending player ambition, club strategy, and survival imperatives. As negotiations intensify, all eyes turn to potential breakthroughs before 2 February.