West Ham United midfielder Lucas Paqueta is understood to be a transfer target for Flamengo and personal terms are not anticipated to be a problem for the Brazil international.
CaughtOffside understands talks are ongoing over this possible move, with West Ham ready to let Paqueta go, preferably on a loan with a mandatory purchase clause, though Flamengo’s preference is for a buy option under certain conditions.
Paqueta also has interest from clubs in Serie A and the Saudi Pro League, sources have told CaughtOffside, but he would be ready to give the green light to Flamengo as he’s ready to continue his career back in his native Brazil.
Paqueta has shone for West Ham but now seems likely to leave the London Stadium after being hit with six FA charges over allegedly picking up yellow cards intentionally in games as part of a possible betting scandal.
Paqueta transfer away from West Ham now looks on the cards
It perhaps makes sense that the Hammers are now prepared to let the 26-year-old go amid this controversy, though it’s also worth noting that manager Julen Lopetegui spoke quite sympathetically about the player recently.
As quoted by BBC Sport, the new West Ham manager said: “We know he and his family are suffering a lot.
“We are looking forward to him being here with us. We are his family in England and we are going to take care of him.
“I liked it when I saw him smiling in the last match because he was enjoying playing football.”
Paqueta can undoubtedly be a top performer on his day and at one point he would surely have been in the conversation for even bigger clubs, even if he may now be set for a surprise move away from European football to return to his home country.
