Fenerbahçe enters the race to sign Lucas Paquetá at the request of José Mourinho

Fenerbahçe has officially entered negotiations to sign Brazilian midfielder Lucas Paquetá, currently under contract with West Ham United. The Turkish giants are acting on a direct request from head coach José Mourinho, who sees the 27-year-old as a key piece for his midfield rebuild.

Mourinho Personally Involved in Transfer Talks

According to the Turkish newspaper Yeni Asır, Mourinho has personally contacted Paquetá to present Fenerbahçe’s sporting project and express his desire to make the Brazilian a central figure in his system. The club is optimistic that the manager’s influence could help tip the scale in their favor.

Negotiations are still in the early stages, but Fenerbahçe has already initiated discussions with the player’s entourage to explore the feasibility of a move this summer.

Paquetá Draws Interest from Al-Nassr and Flamengo

In addition to Fenerbahçe, Lucas Paquetá has received inquiries from Flamengo—his former club—and Saudi Pro League side Al-Nassr. However, none of those talks have progressed to an advanced stage, leaving the door open for the Turkish club to advance.

Despite these offers, sources close to the player suggest that Paquetá’s preference is to remain in European football as he continues to rebuild his career following a recent match-fixing investigation, in which he was found not guilty.

West Ham Yet to Confirm Willingness to Sell

Paquetá is under contract with West Ham United until June 2027, and as of now, the London club has not officially declared whether they are open to selling him. The midfielder has made 120 appearances for the Hammers, scoring 18 goals and providing 14 assists since arriving in 2022.

West Ham’s sporting project and the potential impact of a major sale under new management will likely influence any final decision.