West Ham United playmaker Lucas Paquetá has reportedly rejected an approach from Tottenham Hotspur, informing the North London club that his priority is a return to Brazilian football this January.
Despite interest from Ange Postecoglou’s Spurs, the 28-year-old midfielder seems determined to head back to his homeland. The news, initially broken by ExWHUEmployee and corroborated by TalkSPORT’s Alex Crook, comes at a critical time for the Hammers, who are currently languishing in 18th place in the Premier League.
Nuno Espírito Santo Desperate to Keep ‘Key Man’
West Ham manager Nuno Espírito Santo is reportedly “firmly opposed” to the transfer. Since taking over at the London Stadium, Nuno has leaned heavily on Paquetá’s creativity to fight off the threat of relegation.
With 19 appearances, 5 goals, and 1 assist this season, Paquetá remains the heartbeat of the Hammers’ midfield. Losing him in the middle of a survival scrap—especially to a London rival like Tottenham—could be a fatal blow to West Ham’s hopes of staying in the top flight.
The “Flamengo Factor”: Can a Brazilian Club Afford Him?
While Paquetá’s desire to return to Brazil is clear, the financial logistics are daunting. His current market valuation sits around £35m – £40m (€65m / R$ 250 million), a figure that dwarfs the spending power of most South American clubs.
- The Window: The Brazilian transfer window remains open until March 3rd, giving potential suitors like Flamengo time to structure a deal.
- The Conflict: West Ham is unlikely to sanction a cheap exit for their most valuable asset while sitting in the bottom three.
High-Stakes Showdown: West Ham vs. Tottenham
In a twist of irony, West Ham’s next Premier League fixture is against Tottenham this Saturday. All eyes will be on the team sheet to see if Nuno Espírito Santo starts the Brazilian or if the ongoing transfer saga forces him to the sidelines.
If Paquetá stays, he faces a grueling six months fighting for survival. If he leaves, he marks the end of a rollercoaster era in East London to become the highest-profile returnee to Brazilian football in years.
