Paqueta’s January Exit Saga: West Ham Rejects Flamengo Bid Amidst Relegation Battle

The January transfer window of 2026 has barely opened, yet it’s already delivering high drama, particularly in East London. West Ham United finds itself in the midst of a full-blown crisis, grappling with a relegation battle and the bombshell revelation that their star midfielder, Lucas Paqueta, is actively seeking an exit. Brazilian giants Flamengo have tabled a bid for their former player, but it has been swiftly rejected, leaving all parties in a tense standoff as the Premier League season hurtles towards its climax.

Paqueta, 28, has made his intentions abundantly clear: he wants to return to his homeland and don the Flamengo jersey once more. This desire has led to tangible actions, with sources close to the player indicating he asked not to feature in West Ham’s recent FA Cup third-round clash against Queens Park Rangers. While the club initially cited an injury for his absence from Nuno Espirito Santo’s squad, reports from The Guardian suggest Paqueta was fit, adding another layer of complexity to an already delicate situation. His absence from the 2-1 victory over QPR only fueled speculation about his future, leaving fans and pundits questioning whether he will ever pull on a West Ham shirt again.

A Homecoming Dream Amidst Disillusionment

Lucas Paqueta’s yearning for a return to Brazil is not a sudden whim; it’s a sentiment that has reportedly been brewing for some time. Sources close to the player suggest he has grown increasingly disillusioned with life in England and sees a move back to Flamengo, the club where he began his illustrious career, as a crucial step, potentially even before this summer’s World Cup. His Instagram post in September 2025, hinting at a potential exit, now appears to have been a clear signal of his intentions. For Paqueta, this isn’t just a transfer; it’s a deeply personal quest for a return to familiar ground, a place where he feels he can thrive once more.

Flamengo’s interest in their former academy product is equally persistent, dating back to the summer of 2024 when their initial offers were reportedly dismissed by West Ham sources as ‘laughable.’ Now, the Brazilian Série A club has intensified its pursuit, tabling a bid in the region of €35m to €40m (approximately £30.3m to £34.7m). However, West Ham has firmly rejected this offer, holding out for a significantly higher fee of €60m. The disparity between the two valuations highlights the chasm that must be bridged if a deal is to materialize. Paqueta, for his part, is reportedly willing to take a pay cut to facilitate the move, underscoring the depth of his desire to return home, as reported by Sky Sports.

The player’s camp has left little room for doubt regarding his long-term future at the London Stadium. A source close to Paqueta emphatically stated that there is ‘no chance’ the Brazil international would be at West Ham next season, regardless of the outcome of the current transfer window. This declaration puts West Ham in an unenviable position, facing the prospect of either losing a key asset for a potentially reduced fee now or retaining a disgruntled player who is already mentally preparing for his departure. The situation is a stark reminder of the power dynamics at play in modern football, where player ambition can often dictate the narrative.

West Ham’s Precarious Predicament: Relegation Battle and a Star Asset

For West Ham, Paqueta’s transfer request couldn’t have come at a worse time. The club is currently languishing 18th in the Premier League table, a perilous seven points from safety, and deeply entrenched in a brutal relegation battle. In such a high-stakes environment, every player, especially one of Paqueta’s caliber, is considered a vital cog in the machine. Nuno Espírito Santo’s side views Paqueta as a ‘key asset’ in their fight against dropping into the Championship, making their reluctance to sell him mid-season entirely understandable. His contract runs until June 2027, with an option to extend for another 12 months, giving West Ham a strong negotiating position on paper.

However, the reality on the ground is far more complex. The club is reportedly disappointed with Paqueta’s determination to leave, especially given the unwavering support they provided him during a challenging period, including a two-year FA investigation into alleged betting breaches. This sense of betrayal adds an emotional layer to the commercial negotiations. As one commentator aptly put it, West Ham finds itself in a ‘no-win situation’: sell their star player and risk being accused of ‘cashing in’ at a critical juncture, or keep a player who is clearly unhappy and potentially demotivated, a shadow of the man they desperately need to help keep the Irons afloat this season. Neither option bodes well for a team fighting for its Premier League life.

Nuno Espírito Santo faces a significant tactical and psychological dilemma. Can he afford to lose a player who, despite his inconsistencies, possesses undeniable moments of brilliance? And, crucially, could the fee generated from Paqueta’s sale be effectively reinvested in a seemingly unbalanced squad this month? West Ham has already been active in the market, signing Pablo Felipe and Taty Castellanos, the latter scoring the winner against QPR. However, they have also sold Luis Guilherme to Sporting, loaned Niclas Füllkrug to Milan, and are expected to release Callum Wilson by mutual consent, indicating a significant reshaping of their attacking options. The club’s decision to resist Aston Villa’s attempts to sign Paqueta last summer, reportedly led by Unai Emery’s admiration for the player, now appears to have backfired, highlighting the unpredictable nature of transfer sagas.

A Legacy Marred by Inconsistency and Investigation

Lucas Paqueta arrived at West Ham in August 2022 from French club Lyon for an initial €43m, with an additional €17m in potential bonuses. His debut campaign was nothing short of spectacular, as he played a pivotal role in the team’s historic UEFA Conference League triumph. Across all competitions, he has made 139 appearances for the club, contributing 23 goals and 15 assists, statistics that underscore his impact when at his best. This season, he has notched five goals and one assist in 19 appearances across all competitions, including four goals in 18 Premier League outings.

Despite these contributions, Paqueta’s tenure at West Ham has been marked by a polarizing reception among supporters. While capable of moments of magic, he has also frustrated fans with what The Athletic describes as his ‘ill-discipline and lack of consistency.’ A prime example of this was his ludicrous red card against Liverpool in November 2025, where he received two bookings in quick succession for dissent, boiling over in a 2-0 defeat. Following this incident, he controversially accused the FA of not providing him with psychological support, revealing the emotional toll of his time in England.

Perhaps the most significant shadow over Paqueta’s West Ham career was the two-year Football Association investigation into alleged betting breaches. The probe, which began in 2023 and threatened to derail his career, saw him linked to spot-fixing allegations. Although he was eventually cleared of all charges in July 2025, the investigation undoubtedly had an impact on his form, with sources noting a dip in his performance during this period. The uncertainty surrounding his future also impacted previous transfer opportunities. Manchester City, for instance, had shown keen interest in both 2023 and 2024, with Paqueta reportedly eager to join the reigning champions. However, the FA investigation stalled their initial pursuit, and a subsequent £85m release clause was not activated, leaving Paqueta at West Ham until now.

The current standoff between Lucas Paqueta, West Ham, and Flamengo represents a critical juncture for all involved. For Paqueta, it’s a deeply personal quest for a return to his roots and a fresh start. For Flamengo, it’s an opportunity to bring home a prodigal son. But for West Ham, this is far more than just another transfer negotiation; it’s a test of resolve, financial acumen, and squad management in the face of a desperate fight for Premier League survival. The club must weigh the tangible benefits of a significant transfer fee against the intangible costs of losing a key player and the potential disruption to team morale. A swift, decisive, and mutually beneficial resolution is paramount, lest this January transfer saga further destabilize an already precarious season for the Hammers.