‘We’re close’ – Flamengo president names one thing stopping Lucas Paqueta’s West Ham departure

Talks are advancing between West Ham United and Flamengo over a move for Lucas Paqueta, talkSPORT understands.

The midfielder has already verbally agreed a four-year deal to return to his former club in his homeland of Brazil.

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West Ham have already rejected two bids from Flamengo for the player, with the first offer believed to be €40million (around £34.6m).

However, talkSPORT understands talks have progressed between the two clubs after Flamengo tabled a third offer, which is understood to be €41m (£35.5m).

Flamengo president Luiz Eduardo Baptista, also known as Bap, has also given a positive update on their pursuit of Paqueta.

“I don’t talk about negotiations, but what I can say is that we’re close,” Bap said.

“Today, the only difference is payment method.”

The Hammers would consider a sale of Paqueta if there was an option for him to be loaned straight back to them.

A deal could be done beyond the deadline of the January transfer window as the window in Brazil doesn’t close until March, however, Paqueta is understood to want to leave as soon as possible.

Paqueta was left out of the squad for West Ham’s last three fixtures, which have all resulted in wins for the Hammers against Queens Park Rangers in the FA Cup as well as Tottenham Hotspur and Sunderland in the Premier League.

Tottenham and Aston Villa also hold historic interest in the 28-year-old, who is tied down at West Ham until 2027.

Pacq-ing it in?

Hammers boss Nuno Espirito Santo is keen for Paqueta to stay at the club beyond the winter window in his quest to avoid relegation.

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West Ham currently sit in 18th spot after 23 games played and face the very real prospect of dropping down to the Championship for the first time since the 2010/11 season.

They are five points off safety ahead of clashes with Chelsea, Burnley and Manchester United.

In his fourth season at West Ham, Paqueta has already matched his best goal return in the three Premier League.

Paqueta has fired in four goals – the same tally he managed in each of his first three years in England.

In total, he has found the back of the net on five occasions and registered a solitary assist from 19 games in all competitions.

Only skipper Jarrod Bowen has scored more for West Ham this term.

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Paqueta has been regularly linked with a West Ham exit in 2026 after he failed to secure a move away last summer.

Villa offered £47million for his services, but it wasn’t the Midlands outfit who he came closest to joining.

The 2023 Europa Conference League winner declared in November that he wanted to join Flamengo, but stayed at West Ham out of loyalty.

He stated that he wanted to show his gratitude to West Ham due to how they backed him during a Football Association investigation into spot-fixing, an allegation he was later cleared of.

Paqueta told Brazilian outlet Globo: “The first moment was when [Marcelo] Braz [former vice president] was still at Flamengo, there was that contact.

“I know of Flamengo’s desire, and they know of my desire, my passion for the club, so it’s something that always happens.”

He continued: “As soon as I was accused, and the whole trial process was about to begin, Braz came to my house, made the offer, and asked what I thought.

“Obviously, I always want to go back to Flamengo, but at that moment I was still a bit undecided about my decision, about what I was going to do.

“Then I also talked to the West Ham director and said, ‘Braz, I want to go back, I know I’ll feel good at Flamengo, but I can’t be ungrateful to the club that’s supporting me so much.’

“They supported me a lot at all times, helped me in various situations, so I couldn’t force an exit from a place where I was being welcomed and respected.

“They respected me, my wife, my family. So I said, ‘I want you to resolve this.’ But yes, this exchange with Flamengo did happen.”

Though Paqueta did declare that he held talks with Flamengo boss Filipe Luis.

He remarked: “Maybe I shouldn’t even be saying this, but I had some conversations with Filipe [Luis], who is a friend, in addition to the work he’s doing at Flamengo.

“I really expressed my desire to return and also showed it to my agents.

“It was a difficult decision because I’m 28 years old, it’s very young, and I still have a lot of market value outside of here. I’ve been doing my job well, but it was a very strong desire.

“And I tried very hard, but unfortunately, once again, I decided to respect my club, not to force anything, because it’s a club that supported me, that I have enormous affection for.

“So I let it happen, and it really didn’t. I understood that it wasn’t the right time, but I know the doors will always be open for me.

“I know that at some point this return will happen.”