The transfer saga of the winter is nearing its conclusion. Lucas Paquetá has reportedly reached a verbal agreement with Flamengo, leaving West Ham fans stunned by the €40 million (R$ 250 million) valuation for the Brazilian playmaker.
According to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, the 28-year-old midfielder has already accepted personal terms to return to his boyhood club. While Tottenham Hotspur made a last-minute attempt to hijack the deal, Paquetá’s desire to return to Rio de Janeiro proved decisive.
Flamengo’s Financial Might Stuns the UK
Reports from The Guardian suggest that Flamengo is prepared to pay a staggering €40 million to bring the “Star of East London” back to the Maracanã. This move has sent shockwaves through social media, with Premier League fans reacting to the growing financial power of Brazilian football.
- “€40m for Paquetá? These guys don’t play fair,” one fan posted on X (formerly Twitter).
- “He is a sure thing. He arrives, puts on the shirt, and doesn’t feel the pressure,” commented another.
Nuno Espírito Santo’s Relegation Nightmare
Despite the verbal agreement, West Ham manager Nuno Espírito Santo is reportedly fighting to block the move. The Hammers are currently languishing in 18th place in the Premier League, and losing their creative engine mid-season could be the final nail in their relegation coffin.
The London club is now in a race against time. Before sanctioning Paquetá’s departure, the board must find a suitable replacement in the January market. With the Brazil transfer window open until March 3rd, Flamengo holds the advantage, but West Ham’s survival instincts may yet delay the official announcement.
Why Paquetá Snubbed Spurs
For Paquetá, this isn’t about money—it’s about “Home.” By rejecting Ange Postecoglou’s Tottenham, the midfielder prioritized emotional connection over staying in Europe’s elite. “When a guy loves his club that much, it’s cool to see,” noted a fan on the Hammers’ forum.
