Lucas Paquetá's recent transfer from West Ham United back to his boyhood club, Flamengo, has stirred considerable discussion, especially after the Brazilian midfielder revealed that he snubbed interest from Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur. Paquetá's decision to return to Brazil comes after a challenging period in England, marked by an investigation into alleged breaches of Football Association betting rules, which he was cleared of in July 2025.
According to West Ham United, Paquetá requested the transfer for personal and family reasons, desiring a fresh start back in his home country. The club reluctantly agreed to the transfer after Paquetá remained firm in his wish to leave, despite efforts to persuade him to stay. West Ham officially announced the transfer, stating that a fee had been agreed with Flamengo and that Paquetá had been given permission to undergo a medical. The reported fee for the transfer is £36.5 million.
Paquetá revealed that his agent informed him about Chelsea's interest, saying they were preparing to make an offer. However, Paquetá's immediate response was to inquire about Flamengo. He stated, "Okay, but what about Flamengo?". When his agent expressed surprise, Paquetá responded, "Yeah, I don't care about that. I want to hear about Flamengo,". This exchange highlights Paquetá's strong desire to return to Flamengo, regardless of interest from other major clubs.
In explaining his decision, Paquetá emphasized his deep connection to Flamengo and his eagerness to contribute to the club's success. "Maybe Flamengo didn't need me, but I needed Flamengo," he said. He further expressed his excitement about returning home, stating, "All I want is to enjoy this joy of finally being home. I want to be happy, give joy to the Nation and give my best – I continue". Paquetá also affirmed his strong connection with the Flamengo fans, promising to demonstrate his passion on the field.
Paquetá's move back to Flamengo signifies a return to familiar surroundings after a mixed spell in European football. He initially joined West Ham from Lyon in 2022 and played 139 times for the Hammers in all competitions, starting 124 of those games. He was part of the West Ham team that won the Conference League in 2023. However, his time at West Ham was also marked by the aforementioned investigation into alleged betting offences, which caused him significant mental strain.
The FA's investigation began in August 2023, focusing on suspicious betting patterns related to Paquetá receiving yellow cards in certain matches. In May 2024, he was charged with breaches of FA rules but was eventually cleared after an independent commission found the betting data inconclusive. The commission stated that there was "nothing in Paqueta's on-field conduct" to support the FA's case.
Paquetá's return to Flamengo is seen as a significant move for both the player and the club. Flamengo, as the current Copa Libertadores champions, are strengthening their squad with a player who brings both talent and experience. For Paquetá, the transfer represents a chance to rejuvenate his career and find happiness back in his homeland.
