West Ham have confirmed the sale of Lucas Paqueta to Brazilian club Flamengo.
Paqueta joins Flamengo on a long-term contract after the two clubs agreed a transfer fee of €42m (£36m).
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The fee, which represents a slight increase over Flamengo’s €41 million offer, helped the Brazilian side negotiate more favorable payment terms.
It means Hammers boss Nuno Espirito Santo loses a key player in the middle of their relegation battle.
In a statement from the club, West Ham insisted they were reluctant to sell and were trying to persuade Paqueta to stay.
They said: “Lucas has made it clear that for personal and family reasons he wants to return to Brazil and make a fresh start, following his acquittal in July 2025 of FA misconduct allegations which took two years to resolve – a situation which has caused him significant psychological distress.”
“Despite the club doing everything in its power to persuade Lucas to stay, he was adamant that he wanted to leave. Therefore, the head coach and the club have reluctantly agreed to accept his transfer request.”
“West Ham United would like to take this opportunity to thank our management, players, staff and loyal fans for the unwavering and dedicated support they have given Lucas throughout his time at the club and particularly over the last two and a half years.”
Paqueta is also understood to have taken a pay cut to push through the move, underlining his desire to return home.
The transfer fee for Paqueta will break Flamengo’s transfer record, which stands at 22 million euros (around £19 million) that they paid for Samuel Lino in July.
Due to intense interest from Flamengo, Paqueta was left out of West Ham’s squad for their last three games.
These games all resulted in victories for the Hammers as they defeated Queens Park Rangers in the FA Cup and Tottenham Hotspur and Sunderland in the Premier League.
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Tottenham and Aston Villa previously had a historic interest in the 28-year-old, who was contracted to the Hammers until 2027.
Pack it up
Espirito Santo was keen for Paqueta to stay at the club beyond the winter window to avoid relegation.
After 23 games played, West Ham currently sit in 18th place and face the very real prospect of being relegated to the Championship for the first time since the 2010/11 season.
Ahead of clashes with Chelsea, Burnley and Manchester United, they are five points behind safety.
In his fourth season at West Ham, Paqueta already achieved his best goal tally in the Premier League.
Paqueta had scored four goals – the same tally as in each of his first three years in England.
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In total, he has scored five goals and registered a single assist in 19 games across all competitions.
Only captain Jarrod Bowen has scored more goals for West Ham this season.
Paqueta is regularly linked with a move away from West Ham in 2026 after failing to secure a move last summer.
Villa offered £47m for his services but it wasn’t the Midlands side he came closest to.
The 2023 Europa Conference League winner said in November that he wanted to join Flamengo but stayed at West Ham out of loyalty.
He explained that he wanted to show his gratitude West Ham because of the way they supported him during a Football Association investigation into spot-fixing, a claim of which he was later acquitted.
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Paqueta told Brazilian broadcaster Globo: “The first moment was when [Marcelo] Braz [former vice president] was still at Flamengo, there was this contact.
“I know Flamengo’s desire and they know my desire, my passion for the club, so it’s something that always happens.”
He continued: “As soon as I was charged and the whole trial was about to begin, Braz came to my house, made the offer and asked what I thought about it.
“Of course I always want to come back to Flamengo, but at that moment I was still a bit undecided about my decision about what to do.
“Then I also spoke to the director of West Ham and said: ‘Braz, I want to go back, I know I will feel good at Flamengo, but I can’t be ungrateful to the club that supports me so much.’
“They were very supportive at all times and helped me in various situations, so I couldn’t force the place where I was welcomed and respected.
“They respected me, my wife, my family. So I said, ‘I want you to solve this.’ But yes, this exchange with Flamengo took place.”
However, Paqueta explained that he had held talks with Flamengo boss Filipe Luis.
He noted: “Maybe I shouldn’t say this, but I’ve had a few conversations with Filipe.” [Luis]who, in addition to his work at Flamengo, is a friend.
“I really expressed my desire to return and showed it to my agents.
“It was a difficult decision because I’m 28 years old, so very young, and I still have a lot of market value outside of here. I did my job well, but it was a very strong desire.”
“And I tried very hard, but unfortunately I have once again decided to respect my club and not force anything, because it is a club that has supported me and for which I have great affection.”
“So I let it happen, and it really didn’t happen. I understood it wasn’t the right time, but I know the doors will always be open for me.
“I know that return will happen at some point.”