West Ham United agree £40m deal to sell Paqueta to Flamengo

West Ham United have agreed a deal worth around £40 million to sell Brazilian midfielder Lucas Paquetá to Flamengo, marking a major transfer that will see the playmaker return to his former club in Rio de Janeiro for the 2026 season.

West Ham had initially resisted selling Paquetá, given their ongoing battle to avoid relegation from the Premier League, but have finally decided to let the star man return home.

The midfielder has been one of their most influential players since joining, and his creativity was seen as vital to their survival hopes.

However, Paquetá made clear his desire to leave London and rejoin Flamengo, where he first rose to prominence.

This pressure, combined with the financial offer on the table, pushed the Hammers to reluctantly accept the deal.

The agreement with Flamengo is reported to be structured over several years, with an upfront payment followed by instalments.

Flamengo’s president, Luiz Eduardo Baptista, confirmed that negotiations had intensified, with both clubs working closely to finalise the payment schedule.

The Brazilian giants are keen to secure Paquetá’s services immediately, without loaning him back to West Ham for the remainder of the season, signalling their intent to strengthen their squad for domestic and continental competitions.

For Paquetá, the move represents a homecoming and a chance to revive his career in familiar surroundings after a difficult spell in England.

His time at West Ham has been overshadowed by off-field issues, including betting investigations that left him disillusioned with life in the Premier League.

Returning to Flamengo offers him both emotional comfort and the opportunity to re-establish himself as a key figure in Brazilian football.

For West Ham, the sale provides much-needed funds to reinvest in their squad, though losing such a talent could prove costly in their fight for survival.