Flamengo Nears Deal for Lucas Paquetá as West Ham Seeks Loan-Back

Overview

• Flamengo is aligned with Lucas Paquetá on personal terms, and West Ham has moved toward a €35 million fee plus €5 million in add-ons that fits the Brazilian club’s €40 million ceiling.
• A new round of negotiations on Friday aims to advance the transfer, with the release date emerging as the primary obstacle.
• West Ham is prepared to sell now but wants Paquetá on loan until the end of the Premier League season to help its survival push, while Flamengo is pressing for a January arrival.
• Paquetá has informed coach Nuno Espírito Santo of his wish to return to Brazil and returned to training after sitting out an FA Cup match, with reports he asked not to play.
• Reporting in England suggests Flamengo could wait until Brazil’s March window or explore involving a player such as Gonzalo Plata to bridge terms.