West Ham United are prepared to sanction the sale of midfielder Lucas Paquetá to Brazilian giants Flamengo this month, but only under one critical condition: the player must be immediately loaned back to the London Stadium for the remainder of the season.
A Deal Built on Compromise
The proposed transfer represents a complex compromise for all parties involved. Flamengo have seen an initial bid of €35 million (£30m) rejected by the Premier League club but are ready to increase their offer to around €40 million (£34m). Crucially, Paquetá has explicitly informed West Ham of his desire to return to Brazil.
West Ham's willingness to sell is tempered by their precarious league position. The club, currently sitting seven points adrift of safety below 17th-placed Nottingham Forest, fears that losing the Brazilian international would severely damage their survival hopes under manager Nuno Espírito Santo. The proposed solution—a permanent sale followed by an instant loan-back—aims to bolster the club's finances while retaining Paquetá's services for their relegation battle.
Disillusionment in England After Spot-Fixing Probe
The driving force behind the 28-year-old's desire to leave is a profound disillusionment with life in England, stemming from the Football Association's investigation into alleged spot-fixing. Although Paquetá was cleared of all charges last year, the lengthy episode had severe consequences.
It famously scuppered a potential £85 million move to Manchester City in the summer of 2023 and is understood to have taken a significant emotional toll on the player. His form has notably dipped since the investigation became public in August 2023, and he has spoken about a lack of psychological support from the authorities.
This week, Paquetá reported a minor injury and is a doubt for West Ham's crucial match against Tottenham Hotspur. Sources indicate he even requested to be left out of last weekend's FA Cup victory over Queens Park Rangers.
Implications for West Ham and Other Moves
For West Ham's hierarchy, the dilemma is clear. Selling Paquetá would provide a vital financial boost for squad reinforcement, particularly in defence—an area of concern as the team has not kept a clean sheet since August. However, they must weigh this against the value of his presence on the pitch in their fight for survival.
Meanwhile, in a separate transfer development, Leeds United are close to securing a loan deal for Brighton & Hove Albion forward Facundo Buonanotte. The 21-year-old Argentinian's season-long loan at Chelsea has been cut short due to a lack of playing time, paving the way for a move to Elland Road for the rest of the campaign.
As the situation develops, all eyes will be on whether Flamengo agree to the unusual loan-back structure. The Brazilian transfer window remains open until March, giving the Rio de Janeiro club time to deliberate. The coming days will be decisive for the future of Lucas Paquetá and West Ham United's season.
