'I shouldn't say this': Lucas Paqueta confirms West Ham exit talks | OneFootball

Boyhood club Flamengo offered sensational return during FA investigation

Lucas Paqueta has admitted he found it difficult to turn down an approach from boyhood club Flamengo this summer, but said he remained loyal to West Ham after they stuck by him during an FA investigation into spot-fixing charges.

Paqueta was cleared of spot-fixing charges by an independent regulatory commission in July following a nearly two-year investigation.

The process took a huge emotional toll on the 28-year-old, who had been on the cusp of an £85million move to Man City when the investigation was launched in 2023, and he said he remained grateful to West Ham for their support during a challenging period for his family.

Paqueta was the subject of interest from Aston Villa towards the end of the summer, but it was an approach from his former club Flamengo, who had also tried to sign him after news of the investigation first broke, that the Brazilian found difficult to turn down.

“The first moment (Flamengo tried to sign Paqueta) was when (Marcos) Braz was still at Flamengo, there was that contact,” Paqueta told Brazilian outlet Globo.

“I know of Flamengo's desire, and they know of my desire, my passion for the club, so it's something that always happens.

Lucas Paqueta has scored three for West Ham this season

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“As soon as I was accused, and the whole trial process was about to begin, Braz came to my house, made the offer, and asked what I thought.

“Obviously, I always want to go back to Flamengo, but at that moment I was still a bit undecided about my decision, about what I was going to do.

“Then I also talked to the West Ham director and said: 'Braz, I want to go back, I know I'll feel good at Flamengo, but I can't be ungrateful to the club that's supporting me so much.'

“They supported me a lot at all times, helped me in various situations, so I couldn't force an exit from a place where I was being welcomed and respected.

“They respected me, my wife, my family. So I said: 'I want you to resolve this.' But yes, this exchange with Flamengo did happen.”

Lucas Paqueta launched his career at Flamengo

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Paqueta went on to say that he had expressed his desire to return to Flamengo to his representatives this summer, but acknowledged that due to his market value and out of respect for West Ham, a move could not be facilitated.

“Maybe I shouldn't even be saying this, but I had some conversations with Filipe (Luís), who is a friend, in addition to the work he's doing at Flamengo,” he said. “I really expressed my desire to return and also showed it to my agents.

“It was a difficult decision because I'm 28 years old, it's very young, and I still have a lot of market value outside of here. I've been doing my job well, but it was a very strong desire.

“And I tried very hard, but unfortunately, once again, I decided to respect my club, not to force anything, because it's a club that supported me, that I have enormous affection for.

“So I let it happen, and it really didn't. I understood that it wasn't the right time, but I know the doors will always be open for me. I know that at some point this return will happen.”