West Ham United midfielder Lucas Paquetá has formally requested to be omitted from the club's FA Cup squad and is pushing for a swift return to his boyhood club, Flamengo, in a move that could cost the Brazilian side up to €40 million (£34.7m).
Disillusionment Drives Exit Demand
The 28-year-old Brazil international has grown deeply unhappy with his life in England and is determined to secure a move back to his native country. This discontent manifested clearly when Paquetá asked to be left out of West Ham's third-round FA Cup victory over Queens Park Rangers, despite being fully fit. The club's hierarchy is now grappling with the reality that the player they signed from Lyon for £51m in the summer of 2022 may have already played his last game for them.
A source close to the player confirmed there is "no chance" Paquetá will be at the London Stadium next season. His desire is to rejoin Flamengo, where he began his professional career, ideally before the summer's World Cup. While Tottenham Hotspur have been linked, the player's camp has played down such speculation, leaving Flamengo as the clear frontrunner.
Betting Probe Fallout and Form Dip
Paquetá's time in England has been overshadowed by the Football Association's investigation into spot-fixing allegations, which came to light in the summer of 2023. Although he was cleared of any breach of the FA's betting regulations last year, the lengthy probe had significant consequences. It famously scuppered a proposed transfer to Manchester City and is cited as a primary reason for his current desire to leave English football.
Since the investigation became public, Paquetá's form has noticeably declined. This season, he has managed just four goals and one assist in 18 Premier League appearances. His frustration has also boiled over on the pitch, most notably when he received a "ludicrous" red card for dissent in a 2-0 defeat to Liverpool in November. The player later criticised the FA for a lack of psychological support during his ordeal.
West Ham's Relegation Battle Dilemma
West Ham find themselves in a difficult position. Manager Nuno Espírito Santo's side are currently 18th in the Premier League and embroiled in a fierce relegation battle. They regard Paquetá as a key asset in their fight for survival and are wary of selling him this month. However, the club must weigh the benefits of retaining an unhappy player against the chance to recoup a significant fee.
There is disappointment within the club at Paquetá's stance, given the support they offered him during the FA investigation. The board must now decide if they can effectively reinvest any transfer fee into their unbalanced squad during the January window. The club's recent activity—signing Pablo Felipe and Taty Castellanos, while allowing players like Luis Guilherme and Niclas Füllkrug to depart—suggests a reshuffle is underway.
Ultimately, Nuno Espírito Santo holds a crucial say. He must determine if his attacking options are sufficient to sanction the sale of a major talent. With Flamengo poised to test West Ham's resolve, the coming days will be pivotal in deciding whether Lucas Paquetá's turbulent English chapter is about to close.
