Exclusive: West Ham could approve Lucas Paqueta transfer amid deadline-day reveal
Lucas Paqueta could yet leave West Ham before the upcoming 2 February transfer deadline, sources have told Football Insider.
The Hammers ideally want to keep the midfielder to help them fight against relegation, but their stance could change if they pick up strong results between now and the latter stages of the window.
Nuno Espirito Santo and Co. need time to work on their targets in a bid to line up a potential replacement for the 28-year-old, but if both of those things align, then they could sanction an exit at the end of the window.
Paqueta is being heavily linked with a West Ham exit amid strong interest from his boyhood club Flamengo, who have already made an offer for their former star.
The Premier League outfit have also explored the possibility of adding a loan back to East London as part of any potential deal, in order to keep the Brazilian as part of their fight against the drop.
Lucas Paqueta situation is difficult for West Ham
Former Manchester City financial advisor Stefan Borson recently told Football Insider that he ultimately expects West Ham to be forced into selling Paqueta, despite their desire to keep him as part of their group until the summer.
The former AC Milan star hasn’t featured for Nuno’s side since 6 January, with an ongoing back problem preventing him from featuring in the wins over QPR and Tottenham.
Paqueta is a player who has the potential to change games for West Ham, and he is currently among their top scorers in the Premier League this season with four strikes to his name.
The Hammers view him as a player who is crucial to their chances of clawing back the five-point gap to Nottingham Forest in 17th, but it is a difficult situation for them as he prepares to enter the final year of his contract in the summer.
West Ham do not want to sell any of their key players during the mid-season window, but Paqueta’s attitude towards a move could end up forcing their hand.
They almost netted £80million for him amid interest from Manchester City back in 2023, but could now lose him for less than half of that figure.
Lucas Paqueta deal could break transfer record
Flamengo could offer up to £34.7m for Paqueta in the coming weeks, in what would be an eye-watering sum by the standards of the Brazilian top flight.
The midfielder is desperate to return to his homeland, but West Ham have already outlined that it would take a record-breaking deal in order to make the move a reality.
The transfer record for the Brazilian Serie A currently stands at £23.43m, which was set when Gerson joined Cruzeiro earlier in January.
However, any agreement for Paqueta would surely see that figure smashed through, given that he is currently plying his trade in one of the richest leagues in the world.
West Ham do not want to lose him by any means, but they would certainly be able to secure a healthy sum to spend on a replacement.