West Ham United Sets Conditions for Lucas Paquetá’s Transfer

West Ham United is poised to conclude the protracted saga surrounding Lucas Paquetá’s future by permitting his sale in the upcoming January transfer window, as reported by The Telegraph. However, this deal carries a significant stipulation: the club has informed potential buyers that while they are open to cashing in on their unsettled playmaker, he must remain on loan for the entire 2025-26 season.

Currently, the London club finds itself in a precarious situation, sitting seven points outside of safety in the Premier League relegation zone. While they recognize Paquetá’s desire to leave, they consider his presence crucial to their efforts to avoid relegation to the Championship. Therefore, the board has established a firm position: Paquetá can secure a permanent transfer now, but he must fulfill his commitments for the remainder of the season in claret and blue before leaving.

This ultimatum has been communicated to Flamengo, the reigning champions of Brazil, who are leading the pursuit of the 28-year-old midfielder. The Rio de Janeiro-based club has expressed readiness to initiate negotiations with an opening offer of £30 million; however, West Ham is seeking a figure closer to £35 million. Discussions are expected to intensify in the coming days, with Flamengo officials seeking an in-person meeting to finalize a transfer that satisfies all parties involved.

For Paquetá, a return to Flamengo represents not just a transfer but an emotional homecoming. He joined the Brazilian club’s academy at age 10 and spent over a decade there before his move to Europe with AC Milan. It is understood that personal terms are unlikely to pose an issue, as the player is eager to return to the Maracanã Stadium.

His determination to leave England is so strong that he has reportedly turned down offers from other clubs within the Premier League and across Europe. His primary focus is on returning to Brazil, where the domestic season is set to resume at the end of January. This intense focus complicates West Ham’s negotiating position, particularly as the player’s contract will only have one year remaining following the current season.

West Ham’s demand for a loan-back clause appears to be a calculated risk. They are essentially asking a player who seems mentally distant to commit to a challenging relegation battle for another five months. Nevertheless, the club believes that securing his long-term future now might enable Paquetá to play with greater freedom and focus, knowing his departure is already arranged for the summer.

The root of Paquetá’s dissatisfaction in England can be traced back to a high-profile investigation by the Football Association regarding spot-fixing allegations. Although the Brazilian international was ultimately cleared, the experience reportedly left a deep psychological impact. The case not only tarnished his reputation temporarily but also thwarted a dream £80 million transfer to Manchester City in the summer of 2023.

Sources close to the player indicate that the ordeal affected him profoundly, leading to a growing reluctance to remain in the country. The combination of the investigation’s trauma and West Ham’s on-field struggles has resulted in a belief that Paquetá needs a fresh start to rediscover his passion for the game.

Tensions recently escalated when Paquetá missed last weekend’s FA Cup third-round win over Queens Park Rangers, with speculation suggesting he requested not to participate, though the club officially attributed his absence to a back issue. He returned to training on Wednesday but did not fully engage in the session, further fueling speculation regarding his mental state.

Head coach Nuno Espírito Santo is caught in a delicate balancing act, acutely aware of Paquetá’s fragile mindset while also eager to retain his most talented player for the relegation battle. Nuno has openly acknowledged the impact of the betting case on the playmaker but remains hopeful that Paquetá will choose to ‘repay the faith’ the club has shown in him.

The West Ham board feels they have been unwavering in their support for Paquetá during his most challenging moments and believe that loyalty should be reciprocated by the player’s willingness to help the club maintain its Premier League status. With a daunting match against Tottenham Hotspur on the horizon, Nuno requires all available players.

However, the club must also consider the advantages of retaining an unhappy player against the potential to reinvest the £34.7 million transfer fee immediately. If Flamengo agrees to the asking price but declines the loan-back option, West Ham will face a clear ‘stick or twist’ dilemma. For now, the message from the London Stadium is unequivocal: you can have him, but only once we are secure.