Lucas Paqueta set to sign for Flamengo in £35.8m deal | OneFootball

West Ham midfielder Lucas Paqueta (28) looks set to return to Brazil after a £35.8m (€41.25m) move to Flamengo was verbally agreed, Sky Sports have confirmed. The deal is expected to be formalised in writing within the next 24 hours.

Paqueta, who joined West Ham three and a half years ago, informed the club of his desire to return home earlier this month, despite interest from two other Premier League sides. The 28-year-old, contracted to West Ham until the summer of 2027 with an option to extend by 12 months, has been a key figure for the Hammers in midfield, combining creativity with energy and composure on the ball.

The Brazilian transfer window remains open until March, allowing Flamengo to complete the deal without delay. Paqueta’s move follows a turbulent period in his career: he was cleared of spot-fixing charges in July, ending a two-year investigation that had threatened to derail his playing career.

West Ham are also progressing other moves, with Guido Rodriguez set to join Valencia for an undisclosed fee and Adama Traore expected to arrive from Fulham. Meanwhile, Burnley have ended interest in James Ward-Prowse, who was included in West Ham’s squad for Saturday’s 3-1 win over Sunderland.

Paqueta’s return to Brazil marks the end of a significant chapter at the London Stadium and the start of a new chapter back in his homeland.

GFN | Finn Entwistle