Lucas Paqueta Transfer Rumours Swirl – But Hammers Unwilling to Sell on the Cheap
Lucas Paqueta’s future at West Ham has become one of the most discussed storylines in the January transfer window. With Tottenham Hotspur showing renewed interest and Flamengo exploring an ambitious homecoming bid, speculation is swirling around whether the Brazilian playmaker could leave the London Stadium mid‑season.
Tottenham’s interest is supported by multiple sources. However, the suggested fee of around £25–30m is dramatically lower than the £51m West Ham paid in 2022, and far below his market value when Manchester City attempted to sign him in 2023.
Unless West Ham are in a financially desperate position, or Paqueta forces the issue Spurs would need to raise their offer significantly.
West Ham’s Lucas Paqueta wants to return to Brazil
Flamengo dream of reunion, but West Ham hold the cards
Claret & Hugh has also been made aware by a source close to the club that Manager Nuno Espírito Santo feels that the Brazilian international is his best player and doesn’t want to sell him.
In September Paqueta stated in a cryptic post on instagram “It’s not time to say goodbye yet! Let’s go together for one more season!”
Flamengo are desperate to bring Paqueta back to the club where he began his career. Their technical director José Boto has reportedly been in constant dialogue with Paqueta’s representatives to make the reunion happen. Yet the reality is Flamengo cannot match Premier League wages and even an offer or a loan with an obligation to buy is unlikely to satisfy West Ham’s needs.
This is a dream move for Flamengo, but a long shot for January.
The reality for both Tottenham and Flamengo is that Paqueta remains one of West Ham’s most valuable assets. Selling him mid‑season would weaken an already struggling squad and any sale would need to be financially compelling.
Therefore, as it stands any deal remains unlikely and the most probable outcome is that the Brazilian maestro stays at West Ham until at least the summer.
Firstly, it’s transfer silly season, so there’s more B*ll**** being thrown around than usual.
Second, Paqueta didn’t cost £51mil. (He might have if West Ham had won the Prem/Champions League etc. but they didn’t). Thirdly, What realistically can West Ham expect to return for a player at 28/29 in August, who gets relegated and will forever be tainted by the betting scandal.
Without Paqueta NES does not have a midfield as they are all very young and developing. He will be the hardest player for WHU to replace in the Summer because (putting aside his faults) he brings skill, assists and inventiveness.
It is true of all players like this not just P., perhaps same of Earthy in the U21s? You just do not see many players like this in PL or Championship.
Honestly, if you ever need a clear sign of how bad things are with Sullivan then if we sell two of our most marketable players in Kudus and Paqueta to Spurs within six months of each other then it tells you everything we need to know.
Nuno needs to take stock of what he has got and what’s available to come in.
Wilson on the move.
Marshall gone.
Earthy gone.
Guilherme gone.
Prowse and Rodriguez appear not to be his kind of player.
Pac-man has a number of clubs sniffing.
Spurs would love to get him at a cut price needing Kudus replacement due to injury.
Hasn’t played Earthy so won’t matter how well he does won’t play for whu if Nuno stays.
Sounds about right , Westham make a massive loss on another player . The catastrophic tenure of Sullivan is seeing Westham collapse into a financial black hole from which they may never recover .