West Ham midfielder Lucas Paquetá may really be heading back to Brazil sooner rather than later.
With personal terms with Flamengo already agreed, ESPN Brazil now bring new details from the Brazilian side.
The outlet report that Flamengo have already set aside the money to try and complete the signing from West Ham. The figure mentioned is around £30m (€35m), reserved exclusively for Paquetá and kept separate from the club’s wider transfer budget.
According to the report, Flamengo are interested but feel no pressure to rush the deal. There’s no urgency on their side and absolutely no intention to rush a transfer.
ESPN Brazil state: ‘The information was obtained by ESPN this Monday (12). If the “ Hammers ” facilitate the negotiation of his departure, the athlete looks favourably upon a return to the club that launched his football career, placing it ahead of other European football teams.
‘From Flamengo’s side, the club is interested, but doesn’t see any urgency in signing the star player. In its financial planning for the season, the Rio de Janeiro club has set aside up to €30m (R$ 188 million) to use in the purchase of a striker.’
West Ham player urgency not matching Flamengo energy
Even so, the decision to earmark funds at this stage shows how central Paquetá is to their planning. The midfielder remains one of the club’s priority targets, with his return seen as a long-term move rather than a short-term fix.
The focus now sits firmly on West Ham’s position. Paquetá wants to return to Flamengo and would place that option ahead of other European moves. Still, any progress depends on West Ham opening the door to talks.
ESPN Brazil also note that, if negotiations do not advance now, discussions could intensify after the World Cup, when the European summer window opens.
This lack of urgency from Flamengo doesn’t really match the situation on the ground in London. The Guardian report Lucas Paquetá didn’t want to play for West Ham against QPR on Sunday and is pushing for a quick exit.
Maybe he needs to give Flamengo a nudge.
