🇧🇷 𝗣𝗔𝗤𝗨𝗘𝗧𝗔 𝗣𝗔𝗥𝗧𝗜𝗡𝗚? ⚒️ West Ham Ready to Sell Lucas Paquetá to Flamengo Following Nuno ‘Showdown’! 🏟️✈️
By 247sportcity | Wednesday, January 21, 2026
LONDON – The most dramatic transfer saga of the January window is reaching its “end game.” West Ham United are reportedly prepared to sanction the sale of Lucas Paquetá to Flamengo within the next 24 hours, following a series of high-tension meetings between the player and manager Nuno Espírito Santo.
Despite the Hammers being mired in a desperate battle for Premier League survival—currently sitting 18th and seven points adrift of safety—the club appears to have finally accepted that their £51m record signing has no intention of playing another minute in claret and blue.
The Rush Green Confrontation
The situation reached a breaking point on Tuesday at the club’s Rush Green training base. Sources in Brazil, corroborated by journalist Pablo Rua, claim that Paquetá returned to the facility but refused to participate in first-team training. Instead, he held a final, “face-to-face” meeting with Nuno Espírito Santo.
During the discussion, Paquetá reportedly reiterated his “disillusionment” with life in England and begged the club to let him return to his boyhood side, Flamengo. This comes after his camp cited a “back injury” to explain his absence from recent wins over QPR and Tottenham—claims that some within the West Ham board have openly dismissed as “gamesmanship.”
The Financials: Closing the Gap
While West Ham originally slapped a £42.5m ($54m) valuation on the 28-year-old, the urgency of the situation has forced a compromise.
- The New Bid: Flamengo have reportedly submitted an improved “all-in” proposal worth approximately £38 million (€45m).
- The Terms: While West Ham initially demanded a loan-back clause for the rest of the season, Flamengo have pushed for an immediate permanent transfer.
- The Leak: Fuel was added to the fire overnight when Vinícius Júnior, who shares an agent with Paquetá, hinted on social media that his childhood friend’s exit was “imminent.”
[Table: The Paquetá Departure — A Costly Exit?]
| Category | Detail | Impact on West Ham |
| Selling Price | ~£38,000,000 | A significant loss on the £51m paid in 2022 |
| Wages Saved | £150,000 per week | Clears substantial room on the wage bill |
| Replacement | Ilan Kebbal | Paris FC star is the top target to fill the void |
| Status | Imminent (24-48 hours) | Leaves Nuno with a massive hole in midfield |
Relegation Risk vs. Dressing Room Harmony
For Nuno Espírito Santo, the dilemma is simple but brutal. Paquetá is arguably the club’s most talented player, and losing him during a relegation scrap is a “terrifying prospect.” However, with reports of “strained relationships” and “toxic atmosphere” in the dressing room caused by the Brazilian’s desire to leave, Nuno has reportedly advised David Sullivan that it is better to “cut the cord” now.
“My job is to prepare the team with the best players,” Nuno told reporters earlier this week. “But we need everyone pulling in the same direction.”
The Final Word: Done by Thursday?
Brazilian sources, including Canal journalist Bruno Lemos, believe the final paperwork will be signed on Wednesday night. If the deal goes through, Paquetá will take a significant pay cut—reportedly 40% of his current salary—to return to Rio de Janeiro and rebuild his career ahead of the 2026 World Cup.