West Ham’s Paquetá Sale Plan Stalls as Flamengo Reject Loan-Back Proposal

West Ham are willing to sell Lucas Paquetá this month only if Flamengo loan him back until season’s end.
Flamengo’s €35m bid was rejected and could rise to around €40m.
However, the Brazilian club are reluctant to agree to a loan-back arrangement.
They believe waiting until summer could allow a cheaper deal.
Paquetá has told West Ham he wants to return to Brazil.
West Ham fear losing him now would seriously damage their Premier League survival hopes.
The club sit seven points below Nottingham Forest in 17th place.
Paquetá has struggled since facing spot-fixing allegations, despite being cleared last year.
The episode cost him a move to Manchester City and affected him emotionally.
He joined West Ham from Lyon for £51m in 2022.
Paquetá asked to be left out of the FA Cup win over QPR.
A minor injury now leaves him doubtful for Saturday’s match against Tottenham.
West Ham want clarity quickly, according to manager Nuno Espírito Santo.
Selling Paquetá would fund defensive reinforcements amid ongoing defensive problems.