West Ham midfielder Lucas Paqueta eyeing Flamengo return | OneFootball

Lucas Paqueta is pushing to leave West Ham United and favours a return to boyhood club Flamengo, according to ExWHUEmployee.

The 28-year-old was close to a move to Aston Villa earlier in the season, but nothing materialised.

Paqueta has now given the green light to a move to Flamengo and is prepared to accept a reduced salary to make it happen.​

The midfielder has previously admitted he asked to return to Flamengo last summer, only staying in London out of respect for West Ham and the timing of negotiations.

He has long spoken of a desire to wear the Flamengo shirt again, insisting he always knew he would go back ‘at some point’ in his career.​

Flamengo have stepped up their efforts to bring him back by opening talks with West Ham. They view Paqueta as a marquee signing to aid their quest for more success.

The recently crowned Copa Libertadores champions are willing to pay €40 million for Paqueta, who reportedly asked to be left out of West Ham’s FA Cup triumph over Queens Park Rangers on Sunday.

Hammers manager Nuno Espirito Santo would prefer to keep Paqueta to strengthen the club’s survival hopes.

However, West Ham now face a decision as they weigh financial considerations against a player’s wishes to move.