Lucas Paquetá, Flamengo’s long ties and persistence fuel return talks | OneFootball

Flamengo’s push to bring Lucas Paquetá home looks increasingly plausible, powered by long-standing ties and years of persistence. The negotiation remains complex, with the club hopeful of positive news before the week ends.

According to Globo.com, Paquetá has long targeted a return around age 30. He turns 29 in August, has options in Europe, and says he would only play in Brazil for Flamengo. His representatives are in contact with West Ham.

Despite a settled European career and status with Brazil, he is weighing the chance to chase trophies in Rio. His honours include the 2017 Campeonato Carioca, the 2019 Copa América and the 2022/23 Europa Conference League.

Talks have surfaced twice. After betting allegations in England, Flamengo’s support helped strengthen ties, and Marcos Braz visited him, but he refused to force an exit out of respect for West Ham. Under Bap, he later spoke with coach Filipe Luís, yet West Ham held firm.

Paquetá is now pressing for a move in this window. West Ham want 60 million euros, while Flamengo would go to 40 million euros. He has missed recent matches and did not train this week in England, with his camp citing a back injury.

A Flamengo academy graduate, he joined in 2007, debuted in 2016 and left in 2018. Milan, then Lyon, preceded his 2022 switch to West Ham for 61.6 million euros. He left Rio in tears and said he would return one day.

Source: Globo.com