West Ham United throw spanner in the works as Flamengo work on Lucas Paqueta signing
Lucas Paqueta’s possible transfer to Flamengo this summer is being made “difficult” by West Ham, according to O Dia.
The Brazilian outlet reported in their print edition (11 July, page 14) that negotiations between the Hammers have made the 26-year-old’s potential switch “difficult to negotiate” as talks continue.
O Dia’s report added that as well as Paqueta, Flamengo are also chasing the signings of Zenit’s Brazilian international Claudinho and Lazio midfielder Marcos Antonio on loan in this transfer window.
Paqueta’s future remains unclear due to the FA charges hanging over him due to alleged betting breaches, charges he has consistently denied, and Flamengo have been attempting to bring him back to the club where he started his career on loan.
Lucas Paqueta faces uncertain West Ham United future
Even with the uncertainty surrounding Paqueta right now, there is no real suggestion from the Hammers that they would be willing to sanction such a loan move.
From the Hammers’ point of view it would have very little sense to allow it to happen. There is almost no chance of selling the Brazil star right now but letting him go out on loan would not benefit them at all, they might as well keep Paqueta at the club and utilise him as part of the squad while the process surrounding his future takes place.
You could see why the move might appeal to Paqueta himself at this stage but there appears little suggestion that the Irons are going to sanction a deal and this latest report only adds doubt to any idea they might be persuaded otherwise.
As things stand, it’s difficult to imagine Paqueta won’t still be a Hammer by the time the Premier League starts up.
In other West Ham news, the Irons have tabled another bid for a Premier League striker.
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