Paqueta Transfer Close: Flamengo President Confirms Near Move From West Ham

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Lucas Paqueta is edging nearer to a return from West Ham to Flamengo, with talks at an advanced stage. Flamengo president Luiz Eduardo Baptista says the Brazilian club and West Ham have agreed major points. The final discussions focus on how the $48.9m (35.8m) transfer fee will be paid.

Paqueta already has reported personal terms in place with Flamengo, the reigning Copa Libertadores champions. The attacking midfielder joined West Ham from Lyon in 2022 but wants to rejoin the club where Paqueta first came through. West Ham have left Paqueta out of the last three matches while negotiations continue.

Baptista outlined the situation, confirming progress yet stressing that the payment structure remains the key hurdle. West Ham and Flamengo are in regular contact as both sides look to settle the schedule. Baptist aalso highlighted that the scale of this proposed move is rare in South American football.

"What I can say is that we are close, Baptista said, as reported by ESPN. We reached an agreement on several aspects, which I consider the most important. The difference is the payment method we will use. I'm focusing all my energy on resolving this [payment method] obstacle. If it [the deal] can be done within the next hour, great, if not, let it be in two or three hours. We're in contact every hour to adjust one thing or another. But I can't say exactly how long this will take. There's always the other side, West Ham's needs. But let's be clear: this is a transaction never before done in South America, and we highly value our word and the commitments we make."

Since arriving in London, Paqueta has played 110 matches for West Ham, starting 103 of them. Paqueta contributed to West Ham’s UEFA Europa Conference League triumph in 2023. Across all competitions for the club, Paqueta has 16 goals and 10 assists, giving 26 direct goal contributions.

This season, Paqueta has scored four Premier League goals and supplied one assist. West Ham currently stand 18th in the table, five points behind the safety line. That position adds pressure on the club while transfer discussions continue, with one of West Ham’s key creative players unavailable.

For Flamengo, bringing Paqueta back would reunite the Brazil international with Paqueta’s boyhood side, shortly after continental success. For West Ham, the agreement would deliver a significant incoming fee but remove an influential midfielder during a difficult league campaign. Both clubs now await a final decision on the payment plan before the transfer can be completed.