Nuno Espírito Santo reveals why Paquetá wanted Flamengo return

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·29 January 2026

Nuno Espírito Santo reveals why Paquetá wanted Flamengo return

Nuno Espírito Santo says Lucas Paquetá made clear he wanted to go back to Flamengo, describing him as a special, unique player West Ham cannot replace.

According to Coluna Do Fla, Flamengo completed the transfer on Wednesday 28, paying 42 million euros, about R$ 260 million, a record fee for the Americas.

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The West Ham head coach told reporters on Thursday that they would have preferred a different outcome, and that players like Paquetá are rare in the market.

He said that at another point in the season, and given what happened two years ago, things might have unfolded differently. It could have been done two years earlier, but the club moves on.

As Paquetá completes final formalities before a debut, Flamengo turn to Sunday’s Supercopa do Brasil against Corinthians at Estádio Mané Garrincha, kick-off 16:00 Brasília time.

Source: Coluna Do Fla