Lucas Paquetá future hangs over West Ham as January window sharpens anxiety
West Ham United’s season has reached a delicate juncture, and few issues feel more symbolic of that uncertainty than the future of Lucas Paquetá. As reported by TalkSport, the Brazilian is open to leaving the club during the January window, a development that lands heavily on a side already fighting for Premier League survival.
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Paquetá was absent from the squad for Sunday’s FA Cup third round victory over Queens Park Rangers, a decision that has only intensified speculation. After three and a half years in East London, it is believed the former Lyon midfielder is keen on a return to his homeland, with Flamengo holding firm interest.
Relegation context frames January stakes
The timing could scarcely be worse. Under Nuno Espírito Santo, West Ham sit 18th after 21 league games, seven points from safety, staring at the possibility of relegation for the first time since the 2010-11 season. Upcoming fixtures against Tottenham Hotspur, Sunderland and Chelsea underline the urgency.
Nuno is keen for Paquetá to remain, viewing him as central to the survival push. In his fourth season at the club, Paquetá has already matched his best Premier League goal return, scoring four league goals and five in all competitions. Only captain Jarrod Bowen has scored more.
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Loyalty, Flamengo and unresolved ambition
Paquetá’s desire to return to Flamengo is not new. He has spoken openly about it, particularly after West Ham backed him during a Football Association investigation into alleged spot-fixing, an allegation he was later cleared of. That support shaped his decision to stay last summer despite interest, including a £47 million bid from Aston Villa.
“The first moment was when [Marcelo] Braz was still at Flamengo, there was that contact,” Paquetá told Brazilian outlet Globo. “I know of Flamengo’s desire, and they know of my desire, my passion for the club, so it’s something that always happens.”
He added, “As soon as I was accused, and the whole trial process was about to begin, Braz came to my house, made the offer, and asked what I thought.”
Decision deferred but not forgotten
Paquetá went further, explaining why he ultimately stayed. “Obviously, I always want to go back to Flamengo, but at that moment I was still a bit undecided about my decision,” he said. “Then I also talked to the West Ham director and said, ‘Braz, I want to go back, I know I’ll feel good at Flamengo, but I can’t be ungrateful to the club that’s supporting me so much.’”
He confirmed talks with Flamengo boss Filipe Luís and concluded, “I know that at some point this return will happen.”
Whether that moment arrives in January or later may define West Ham’s season.
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West Ham supporters understand Paquetá’s emotional pull towards Flamengo, but January feels like the wrong time for sentiment to trump survival. Losing the club’s most creative player while sitting in the relegation zone would feel like surrender rather than strategy.
Supporters appreciate his loyalty last summer and his honesty now, yet anxiety dominates. This is a squad already short on confidence and depth. Removing Paquetá, even for a sizeable fee, risks unravelling what little attacking cohesion remains.
There is also frustration at timing. West Ham fans feel the club have repeatedly allowed uncertainty to linger around key players, creating noise that seeps onto the pitch. If Paquetá leaves, supporters will demand clarity, reinvestment and urgency, not just balance sheet comfort.
Most fans accept that Paquetá’s long term future may lie elsewhere. What matters now is the fight. If he stays, supporters will back him fully. If he goes, many will fear the drop, and fear, in football, spreads quickly.