Lucas Paqueta, the 28-year-old Brazilian midfielder, is set to return to his home country after Flamengo finalized a deal with West Ham United for his transfer. The transfer fee is reported to be worth 42 million euros, approximately $50 million, marking a record for South American football. West Ham confirmed the agreement on Wednesday, granting Paqueta permission to undergo a medical examination and discuss personal terms with the Copa Libertadores champions.
Paqueta's move back to Flamengo signifies a return to where his professional career began. He was promoted to Flamengo's senior team in March 2016 and signed a contract extension until 2020. Before his move to Europe in 2019, Paqueta made 67 appearances for Flamengo, scoring 15 goals.
West Ham expressed their reluctance in agreeing to the transfer, stating they had done their best to convince Paqueta to stay. However, the club acknowledged Paqueta's desire to return to Brazil for personal and family reasons, seeking a fresh start. A West Ham statement alluded to the mental strain caused by a lengthy disciplinary process that Paqueta endured, which influenced his decision to leave. Paqueta was cleared in July 2025 of FA misconduct charges, which had lingered for two years.
Prior to West Ham, Paqueta played for AC Milan and Lyon after leaving Flamengo in 2019. During his time with West Ham, he played 110 matches, starting 124 of them, and contributed to the team's 2023 UEFA Europa Conference League victory. In the current Premier League season, he featured in 18 matches, scoring four goals.
Flamengo's president, Luiz Eduardo Baptista, had previously stated his focus on closing what he described as "the biggest transaction ever made by a football club" in South America. The acquisition of Paqueta underscores Flamengo's financial strength, bolstered by a massive domestic market and substantial revenue. Last year, the club paid 31.6 million euros for winger Samuel Lino from Atletico Madrid.
Paqueta's return to Brazil also carries international implications. He hopes to represent Brazil again this year and was part of the 2022 World Cup team. He has 61 caps and 12 goals for Brazil's national team. He also represented Brazil at the Copa América in 2019, 2021 and 2024, winning the 2019 tournament.
