Paqueta returns home – South American champions stronger than ever

Lucas Paqueta’s West Ham chapter is coming to an end, with the midfielder agreeing terms on a return to his boyhood club Flamengo. The move will see the Brazil international become the most expensive signing in Brazilian Serie A history, with a five-year contract already lined up. Paqueta is expected to travel later today, confirming that his most recent appearance was his final outing in a West Ham shirt.

Talks between West Ham and Flamengo have been ongoing for weeks regarding a January switch, but an agreement has now been struck, as reported by Fabrizio Romano. Flamengo will part with a record 42 million euros to bring the 28-year-old back home, following his European stints with AC Milan, Lyon and the Hammers.

Paqueta arrived in east London in 2022, yet his desire to return to Brazil has been clear, and uncertainty over his future saw him omitted from recent squads under Nuno Espirito Santo. The Brazilian giants will spread the fee across instalments, allowing them flexibility in the market. A source close to the negotiations explained the club’s stance to ESPN: "If it goes as West Ham wants, Flamengo will be taking risks. We're not going to ruin our plans. The way we want to close the deal protects us even if we have a bad year financially. We want to be sure we can pay. That's called responsibility."

Originally, Flamengo were prepared to put 30 milion pounds on the table immediately, with a further 5.5 milion pounds to follow later. That structure has since been adjusted by club president Luiz Eduardo Baptista, with payments now scheduled through to 2028, according to Globo.

Paqueta, a Flamengo academy product, returns after eight years away, and the deal obliterates the Brazilian transfer record. The previous benchmark was Cruzeiro’s 27 milion euros move for Gerson from Zenit St Petersburg, narrowly ahead of Vitor Roque’s 25 milion euros switch back to Palmeiras from Barcelona. Paqueta could waste little time making an impact, potentially featuring as early as Sunday’s Brazilian Super Cup final against Corinthians.

The midfielder has been eager for a fresh start after growing disenchanted with life in England, following a turbulent period in which he was charged and later cleared of spot-fixing allegations. His wife previously described the ordeal as a “nightmare”, saying he endured “two years in hell.”

Paqueta has made 18 Premier League appearances for West Ham this season but has not played since early January. Prior to the deal being finalised, Nuno stressed the importance of resolving the situation swiftly, hoping clarity would allow the club to reinforce the squad before the window shuts.

"What I hope is the situation to be solved as soon as possible," he told reporters. "Every part involved has to be solved and to be clear, so we have a direction to move forward. We have one week to go. I still believe that we need to rebalance our squad. We need options in some positions. We need to become more competitive. I still believe in the work the club is doing."