Flamengo’s Ambitious Bid for Paquetá
Flamengo has made a striking offer of €40 million (£34.7 million) to acquire Lucas Paquetá from West Ham United, creating a tense situation as the January transfer window approaches.
Sky Sports reporter Florian Plettenberg has stated that a verbal agreement on personal terms between the 28-year-old player and his childhood club has been reached, leaving West Ham’s board to make the final decision.
Flamengo is eager to conclude the arrangement swiftly, while West Ham remains steadfast in their position.
Flamengo is adamant about signing Lucas #Paqueta immediately. A personal terms agreement with the player is finalized. Now it is up to West Ham, and the club’s approval has yet to come. Discussions are ongoing…
— Florian Plettenberg (@Plettigoal) January 12, 2026
Currently grappling with a challenging relegation fight in the Premier League under manager Nuno Espírito Santo, West Ham is determined to retain their key player at least until the season concludes.
Despite the significant offer from Flamengo, West Ham has reportedly turned down their initial bid.
West Ham sees Lucas Paquetá as crucial to their survival chances, especially after acquiring Taty Castellanos to strengthen their offensive options.
Plettenberg has noted that while the club has “blocked every offer” thus far, Flamengo is expected to return with an enhanced bid surpassing €40 million.
West Ham is currently rejecting all offers from Flamengo. However, a new proposal of over €40 million is anticipated.
— Florian Plettenberg (@Plettigoal) January 12, 2026
This puts the West Ham board in a tough spot: whether to accept a deal for a player whose desires clearly lie elsewhere or to risk keeping an unhappy player during such a critical stretch of the season.
Paquetá’s Desire to Leave West Ham
Behind the scenes, tensions appear to be rising, with insiders on social media suggesting that Paquetá is engaging in an “unofficial strike” to facilitate his transfer.
The Brazilian international did not participate in West Ham’s recent FA Cup win over QPR, reportedly requesting not to be included in the squad.
While the official explanation cited a minor injury, sources indicate that he is feeling “disillusioned” with his situation in England.
Paquetá is allegedly seeking the move not just for footballing reasons but to return to a more supportive atmosphere in Brazil after a challenging experience in the Premier League.
Paquetá’s Journey at West Ham
Paquetá’s time in East London has been tumultuous. Arriving as a record signing and quickly becoming a fan favorite, his career faced setbacks due to a prolonged FA investigation into alleged betting violations.
Although he was cleared in July 2025 after two long years, the emotional impact has been significant.
Despite a notable resurgence, including a memorable goal against Nottingham Forest where he theatrically mimicked throwing away a mobile phone, his connection to English football remains strained.
With the World Cup approaching, Paquetá seems convinced that a return to Brazil is essential for regaining his form and peace of mind.
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