Lucas Paqueta agrees four-year contract as new West Ham meeting scheduled
Lucas Paqueta has been the hot topic for West Ham in recent days, with heavy links to his former club Flamengo.
The Hammers are in a relegation dog fight, and Nuno Espirito Santo is trying to keep his side in the Premier League.
West Ham doesn’t want to lose Paqueta, who has been an integral part of the Hammers’ successes ever since he joined from Lyon in the summer of 2022.
But it looks like the Irons may be resigned to defeat with their key star, as Paqueta has already agreed personal terms with Flamengo.
However, David Sullivan is trying to make sure that West Ham get the best possible deal for the 28-year-old.
Lucas Paqueta agrees four-year contract with Flamengo, with possible loan back to West Ham
After Paqueta‘s previous legal battles, the Brazilian came out and claimed he had thoughts about returning to play in his homeland.
The attacking midfielder has made it clear he wants to leave E20 this time, though, but Sullivan won’t be ripped off in what is one of the most pivotal months in West Ham’s recent history.
- West Ham currently sit in the Premier League’s relegation zone
- Nuno has the Irons seven points from safety with 17 games left to play
- If the Hammers drop the Championship, they may lose £60million
As relayed by West Ham Football on X, Paqueta is believed to have agreed a four-year contract with Flamengo, with personal terms now seemingly all confirmed.
Intermediaries from Flamengo and the Hammers are set for a meeting on Friday, with Paqueta’s former side prepared to offer £30.4million up front with an extra £4.4million in add-ons.
West Ham have reportedly asked to include a loan-back clause in Paqueta’s contract that would see him stay at the London Stadium for the rest of the season, but this has yet to be confirmed by either side.
Sources in Brazil claim payment methods and bonuses yet to be agreed
Suggestions in Brazil verify claims of the £30.4m price tag as true, but there are still intricate details that both sides need to iron out.
Planeta do Futebol have reported that Flamengo were always prepared to offer this amount, but the sides have yet to agree on the details for what the bonuses could be.
They also claim that the Brazilian side has yet to agree on payment methods with West Ham, but these are things that could be finalised after talks on Friday.
Sullivan and Co. must wrap the deal up soon, with time ticking for possible replacements to sign in the Janaury transfer window.
Stay up to date this winter with our West Ham transfer tracker. Click to see every done deal at the London Stadium, plus expert reaction from our team of writers.