West Ham United are maintaining a resolute stance over the potential departure of a key creative player this month, as speculation intensifies around the future of Brazilian midfielder Lucas Paquetá.
Hammers Hold Firm on Valuation
The East London club are reportedly holding out for their valuation of the player, who is understood to be seeking an exit during the January transfer window. This comes despite West Ham's precarious position in the Premier League table, where they continue to battle against relegation.
Recent Form and Relegation Battle
Last weekend provided a rare glimmer of hope for the Hammers, as they secured an away victory against Tottenham Hotspur, narrowing the gap to safety to just five points. However, manager Santo has emphasised the need for consistency rather than sporadic victories if the club is to secure their top-flight status.
The challenge is compounded by Nottingham Forest's improvement under Sean Dyche and Leeds United's recent form, which has seen them pull away from the relegation scrap. West Ham recognise they must provide Santo with the necessary tools to orchestrate an escape, having already made three signings this window, with Taty Castellanos considered the most promising addition.
Paquetá's Desire to Depart
Amid these squad reinforcements, West Ham face the potential loss of one of their most creative assets. Lucas Paquetá is said to be keen on a return to his native Brazil, with Flamengo emerging as the most likely destination.
Despite the increasing financial power of Brazil's top clubs, Flamengo have thus far been unwilling to meet West Ham's initial £50 million asking price for the midfielder. While the Hammers are expected to reduce their demands given the player's desire to leave, they are not prepared to accept a dramatically reduced fee.
Transfer Negotiations Continue
According to recent reports, Flamengo have submitted an improved offer of £32.9 million upfront, with additional add-ons worth £3 million. West Ham have rejected this proposal and are likely to hold out for at least £40 million, reflecting their original valuation of the player.
Santo's Transfer Window Focus
Speaking about recent acquisitions, Santo commented on the signing of Keiber Lamadrid, noting the young player is currently in a pre-season phase and not yet ready for first-team action. The manager emphasised his immediate focus remains on the current squad situation.
"The Club knows the profiles of the players we need, because we need to rebalance the squad," Santo stated. "Taty [Castellanos] and Pablo [Felipe] have come in, and they bring us a lot of options and energy, but we'll keep working until the end of the transfer window."
Expectations for New Signings
Regarding the impact of recent arrivals, Santo added: "They are helping the team a lot, and they're good options. They're talented players and hard workers, but of course we always expect more from them."
The manager stressed the need for increased consistency and productivity from all players during this critical period, acknowledging the challenging situation requires maximum commitment from everyone involved at the club.
