West Ham United are grappling with a pivotal transfer saga as wantaway star Lucas Paqueta pushes for a mid-season exit, aiming to return to his native Brazil amidst the club's intense relegation fight.
Paqueta's Future in Limbo Amid Relegation Concerns
West Ham United find themselves in a precarious position, sitting 18th in the Premier League and five points adrift of safety, as they battle to avoid relegation for the first time in 15 years. Despite a recent glimmer of hope with a victory over local rivals Tottenham Hotspur, the Hammers' survival hinges on a series of strong results under manager Nuno Espirito Santo.
The team had appeared doomed after successive defeats to relegation rivals Wolves and Nottingham Forest early in 2026, but wins against Championship side QPR in the FA Cup and a late triumph at Spurs have injected some optimism. However, the absence of key midfielder Lucas Paqueta from both victories has cast a shadow over their resurgence, with his future at the London Stadium increasingly uncertain.
Transfer Update: No Contact Between Clubs
According to recent reports from Sky Sports News, Lucas Paqueta is no closer to securing a move back to Brazil, though Flamengo remain interested in re-signing their former player. It is noted that there has been no contact between West Ham and Flamengo since last week, yet the situation remains unchanged, with Paqueta reportedly eager to depart for personal reasons.
Paqueta missed the matches against Spurs and QPR due to a minor injury, but speculation about his future continues to swirl in the background. Previous reports indicated that West Ham had set a valuation of £39 million for the midfielder, but no bid matching this figure has been received from Flamengo to date.
Paqueta's Desire for a Flamengo Return
The Brazilian transfer window remains open until March, allowing Flamengo time to negotiate, with their new domestic league season kicking off on January 29. Paqueta has openly expressed his passion for a return to Flamengo, having rejected moves from Chelsea and Spurs in favour of rejoining the club he left in 2019.
In an interview with Brazilian outlet Globo in November, Paqueta stated: "I know of Flamengo's desire [to sign me], and they know of my desire [to join] and my passion for the club." He elaborated on discussions with Flamengo officials, highlighting his long-standing wish to return, though he was initially undecided amid personal challenges.
It now appears that Paqueta has resolved to leave West Ham, with reports suggesting he will not feature for the Hammers beyond this season. Whether his departure occurs in January or later remains uncertain, but his absence could impact West Ham's fight against relegation as they navigate this turbulent period.
