Lucas Paquetá to Leave West Ham in January?!

Flamengo Eye Ambitious Swoop for Hammers Ace as They Bid to Bring Playmaker Back to Where It All Began

The January transfer window is still months away, but the rumour mill is already spinning — and this one could tug at the heartstrings of every Flamengo fan. Reports out of Brazil suggest Lucas Paquetá, West Ham United’s dazzling midfielder, could be on the verge of an emotional return to his boyhood club.

According to Bolavip, Flamengo’s technical director José Boto has made Paquetá his top priority, spearheading a campaign to bring the playmaker back home to Rio de Janeiro. Sources say Boto has been in constant contact with Paquetá’s representatives, exploring every possible route to make the reunion a reality.

It would be one of the most romantic transfers of recent memory — a hometown hero, once a promising academy product, now a global star, coming home to reignite old flames.

Flamengo Launch Mission to Bring Back Paquetá

For Flamengo, this is more than just a transfer. It’s a mission to reclaim one of their own.

Paquetá is woven into the club’s identity. He joined Flamengo’s academy at just 10 years old and went on to make 95 senior appearances, dazzling fans with his silky touch, flair, and eye for the spectacular. His performances earned him a move to AC Milan in 2019, marking the start of his European journey.

Now, six years later, the club that raised him believes the time has come to bring him back. As one Flamengo official reportedly put it, “Lucas was born in Flamengo’s colours — it’s only right that he finishes his career in them too.”

This isn’t a new dream. Flamengo have long harboured hopes of a reunion, and insiders claim Paquetá himself has told close friends that his ultimate wish is to play again for Flamengo before he retires. When his proposed transfer to another English club fell through last summer, there was quiet celebration in Rio — and now, they sense a genuine opportunity.

Lucas Paqueta West Ham 2025-26

Flamengo Ready, War Chest Waiting

If passion alone could fund transfers, Paquetá would already be back in red and black. But in this case, the finances appear to match the ambition.

Reports suggest Flamengo have €15 million (£13m/$17.5m) already banked from recent player sales and anticipate far greater financial flexibility by 2026. The club’s leadership, led by president Rodolfo Landim, views Paquetá as a statement signing — a marquee return that could reassert Flamengo’s dominance both in Brazil and across South America.

“Paquetá would be our crown jewel,” one source told local media. “He’s more than a player — he’s a symbol of Flamengo’s identity.”

Flamengo’s confidence stems not only from their finances but also from the player’s situation in London. While adored by West Ham supporters, Paquetá is said to be frustrated by the club’s limited progress and lack of elite-level ambition. After helping the Hammers win the Europa Conference League in 2023, he expected a push toward consistent European qualification. Instead, he’s found himself battling mid-table mediocrity.

With the 2026 World Cup on the horizon, Paquetá is desperate to compete at the highest level, either in the Champions League or back home with Flamengo — where he could once again be the star attraction.

Competition from England

But Flamengo aren’t the only ones circling. The Brazilian giants could face serious competition from the Premier League, where Paquetá’s stock remains high.

Earlier this year, Aston Villa reportedly came close to agreeing a £47 million ($63m) package that included a loan deal with an obligation to buy. Meanwhile, Tottenham Hotspur — still hunting for creativity after missing out on Eberechi Eze — are said to be exploring a similar move.

Should West Ham decide to open the door, Flamengo may have to rely on sentiment over salary. They can’t compete with English clubs financially, but they can offer something no European side can — home, and the chance to be Flamengo’s heartbeat once again.

The Comeback After Chaos

For Paquetá, this potential move represents not just a change of scenery, but the closing of a dark chapter.

The 27-year-old has endured one of the most turbulent periods of his career. In August 2023, he was accused by the Football Association of being involved in spot-fixing, with claims that he had intentionally earned yellow cards to influence betting outcomes. The allegations were career-threatening, derailing his imminent transfer to Manchester City and casting a long shadow over his reputation.

But in July 2025, Paquetá was fully cleared. A 314-page judgment dismantled the FA’s case, revealing major flaws in the investigation — particularly its reliance on a single betting integrity officer without independent verification of data.

The independent commission’s verdict was scathing:

“The FA chose to advance the most important element of its case without any independent expert assessment of the betting data, which the commission found surprising.”

Paquetá’s lawyer, Alistair Campbell, has since confirmed the midfielder is considering legal action against the FA for damages.

“Lucas was on the verge of a move to Manchester City when this happened,” Campbell told The Daily Mail. “That’s not just a lost opportunity — it’s a lost dream. The judgment completely exonerates him, but there’s an empty space in his career that can’t be filled by words.”

For Paquetá, being cleared was a relief — but not a victory. He has spent two years rebuilding his image, regaining trust, and trying to rediscover the joy that once defined his football.

Fresh Start or Fairytale Return?

Now, the fork in the road is here.

Stay in Europe, fight for a move to a Champions League contender, and continue the pursuit of trophies abroad? Or return to Flamengo, where every touch of the ball would be met with adoration, and every goal would echo through the Maracanã?

It’s a choice between ambition and emotion — but perhaps the two aren’t mutually exclusive. Flamengo are not just a sentimental option; they’re a powerhouse, boasting one of the most talented squads in South America and a legitimate shot at continental silverware.

“Playing for Flamengo again has always been in my heart,” Paquetá told ESPN Brasil earlier this year. “But timing is everything in football.”

That timing might just be now.

Lucas Paqueta West Ham

West Ham’s Dilemma

For West Ham, this saga presents a delicate balancing act. Paquetá remains one of their most valuable assets, and losing him mid-season would be a huge blow — especially given the creative void it would leave in midfield.

Yet, if the player’s heart is set on leaving, the club might prefer to cash in early rather than risk a drawn-out departure saga in the summer.

Sources in London say David Moyes’ successor, who has been reshaping the squad for a post-Moyes era, is already identifying potential replacements. Players like Morgan Gibbs-White and Matheus França have been quietly scouted.

If Paquetá does go, West Ham will expect to recoup at least £50 million, especially after his exoneration restored his market value.

Focused on the Present — For Now

For all the speculation, Paquetá remains a professional. He’s currently with the Brazil national team, where he continues to shine. In their recent 5-0 demolition of South Korea, he played a starring role — dictating tempo, assisting goals, and looking every bit the elite midfielder fans know he can be.

He’s expected to start again when Brazil face Japan next week, before flying back to London to rejoin West Ham ahead of their October 20 clash with Brentford.

Behind the scenes, though, the conversations continue. Flamengo are pushing, the Premier League is watching, and Paquetá himself — after everything he’s endured — is ready for a new beginning.

A Story That Feels Destined

Whatever happens next, this feels like more than just another transfer rumour. It’s a story about redemption, homecoming, and unfinished business.

If Paquetá does walk out onto the Maracanã pitch again in Flamengo colours, it won’t just be a signing — it will be a symbol. A reminder that even after the chaos and controversy, a player can find his way back to where it all began.

And maybe, just maybe, that’s where Lucas Paquetá truly belongs.