Lucas Paquetá's potential move away from West Ham is gaining momentum, with Flamengo making a significant bid to bring the Brazilian midfielder back to his home country. The Brazilian club has reportedly offered a fixed fee of €41 million (approximately £35.5m) with no add-ons.

Paquetá has expressed a strong desire to join Flamengo immediately. According to Fabrizio Romano, Paqueta has already told West Ham that he wants to leave. The midfielder's motivation goes beyond financial incentives, as he believes returning to Flamengo will bring him closer to the Brazil national team and strengthen his chances of participating in the 2026 World Cup. He is prepared to sign a long-term contract until 2031 and become one of the highest-paid players in the squad.

West Ham manager Nuno Espírito Santo has acknowledged Paquetá's desire to leave and stated the club needs to find a solution that works for all parties. He has also expressed his desire for a quick resolution to the situation. Paquetá has been absent from West Ham's recent games, further fueling speculation about his imminent departure. He has not featured since January 6, as he pushes for a transfer to Flamengo.

While Paquetá is keen on the move, West Ham are reluctant to let him go. The club had previously rejected bids from Flamengo, deeming them too low. West Ham signed Paqueta in 2022 for around £45 million.

The potential transfer involves complex logistics, including payment schedules and installment amounts. One option being discussed is a loan-back agreement, where Paquetá would be sold to Flamengo but immediately loaned back to West Ham.

Paqueta's absence seems to have coincided with a new-found unity and team spirit at West Ham. Frustration had been growing behind the scenes regarding his performances, marked by red cards, suspensions, and a recent "back injury" that has kept him off the field. Some observers feel that West Ham can move forward without him, focusing on building a team that fans can support without the "on-field antics".

Despite the ongoing negotiations surrounding Paquetá, manager Nuno Espírito Santo is keen to bolster his squad before the end of the transfer window on February 2nd. He has stated the need to rebalance the squad and add more competition in certain positions, regardless of Paquetá's situation.