The date is the 14th April 2022, Lucas Paquetá cuts a forlorn figure as he steps onto the pitch for Olympique Lyon in the second half of a UEFA Europa League quarter-final. West Ham United cruise to a 3–0 victory on the night and 4–1 on aggregate. Few watching that evening, including myself could have predicted that within four months, the Brazilian midfielder would be wearing claret and blue, let alone becoming the club’s record signing.
Yet that is exactly what happened. In August 2022, West Ham secured Paquetá on a five‑year deal with an option for a further year, reportedly worth around £150,000 per week. It was the most lucrative contract of his career, a journey that had already taken him from Flamengo to AC Milan, then to Lyon, and finally to the Premier League. For West Ham, it was a statement of ambition.
The Brazilian spoke glowingly upon his arrival. The passion of the West Ham supporters, he said, was a decisive factor. “It’s an incredible club and something that I wanted to experience,” he told the club’s official website. “It was really that desire that everybody at the club showed in this amazing project they have and the fact they wanted to include me in that really cemented my decision.”
For a time, the marriage looked promising. Paquetá’s flair, work rate, and creativity quickly endeared him to the fans. He became a key figure in the midfield, contributing to memorable European nights and helping the club maintain its competitive edge. But football moves quickly, and stability is never guaranteed.
By January 2026, the landscape has changed dramatically. Three managerial changes, inconsistent form, and a slide towards potential relegation had eroded the optimism that once surrounded his signing. The ‘project’ he had bought into no longer resembled the one he joined.
Flamengo, Paquetá’s boyhood club, have been circling for some time. As Claret & Hugh and other media outlets have reported the midfielder is eager to return home, with Fabrizio Romano suggesting that the player has already agreed personal terms.
The scale of Flamengo’s ambition cannot be understated. With a staggering support base of 46.9 million, representing 21.9% of all football supporting Brazilians the Rio giants are a powerhouse both culturally and financially. They have never been relegated, posted a record £190 million revenue in 2024, and spent nearly £50 million on seven players in 2025. Adding Paquetá would be more than a signing; it would be a statement of dominance.
The Brazilian transfer window remains open until the 3rd March, giving Flamengo ample time to negotiate. Their intent is clear, they want Paquetá, and they believe they can get him.
For West Ham, the situation is delicate. Paquetá remains Nuno’s favourite player, but keeping a footballer whose heart lies elsewhere is rarely a recipe for success.
The general consensus from many West Ham fans on social media is for the player to go.
The situation is reminiscent of Dimitri Payet’s move to Marseille in 2017. At the time vice chair Karren Brady wrote in her Sun column “Once Slaven realised the damage Payet was inflicting to morale, we did the one thing that made sense, we sold him for as much as we could to the only club who wanted to buy him. With no legal right to force him to play, we took the only sensible option available.”
In this instance West Ham’s resolve will once again be tested. They know Flamengo have the resources. They know Paquetá’s desire is genuine and they know the clock is ticking.
The club should say his departure is linked to him helping us win the rest of the games in January starting with the Spuds !!!
The fact that Paqueta wants to leave for his homeland club is really the only comparison to be had with Dimitri Payet. Payet was a wonderful footballer who lit up the stadium week after week, him leaving was a body blow to the club and Bilic in particular. Bilic brought 9 players in summer 2016 and the majority were poor signings, I still wonder if that was the real reason for Payet being homesick.
Nostalgia and sentimentality. The club’s situation has changed dramatically.
My personal opinion is that the board, Sully in particular, have taken the club as far as they can.
Paquetá joined on an upwards trajectory, his was a style we could afford the luxury of at the time.
But we need to face facts, we’re in deep trouble. It’s roll up the sleeves time and this isn’t who he is. He’s more a liability than a “fighter in the trenches” kind of guy.
No disrespect to him, in a confident, free flowing team he’s a marvel.
Right now we need mongrels, fighters, players prepared to put it all on the line and fight tooth and nail.
I think Nuno is almost there, he needs CBs, they don’t have to be world beaters, just committed, unafraid and gutsy.
Sell Paquetá and thanks for the memories. The time for sentimentality is over.
Look to Potts and Fernandes, who’ll roll up the sleeves, give as much going backwards as they will going forwards. Who’ll not let their heads drop and fight for everything until the final whistle.
I wish the PacMan all the best, but he’s not what we need right now.
What a club legend LUCAS THEQUITTA, da da da da da da da da da QUITTA
🎼 Na Na Na Na, Na Na Na Na, The Quitter, Goodbye! 👋