Lucas Paquetá, midfielder for West Ham and the Brazilian national team, is at the center of attention after being acquitted of match-fixing charges in the Premier League. The English club, according to reports from the Daily Mail newspaper, is willing to negotiate the 27-year-old player for approximately 30 million pounds, equivalent to R$223.2 million, in this transfer window. The decision comes after a trial investigating alleged violations in four matches between 2022 and 2023, when Paquetá was accused of forcing yellow cards to influence the betting market. The acquittal, still pending official announcement by the Football Association (FA), has reignited interest from clubs like Flamengo, where the player was developed, and sparked speculation about his future. The case, which impacted multimillion-dollar negotiations such as a possible transfer to Manchester City in 2023, marked the athlete’s career, who now seeks to regain his best performance.
West Ham, the club that invested 51 million pounds (about R$379 million at current exchange rates) to sign Paquetá from Lyon in 2022, faces a scenario of financial losses. The player’s devaluation, once quoted at 80 million pounds, reflects the challenges faced during the period of uncertainty. The possibility of a transfer to Flamengo, the midfielder’s hometown club, gains momentum, but other suitors may emerge in the coming days.
- Key negotiation points:
- Current market value: 30 million pounds (R$223.2 million).
- Contract with West Ham: valid until June 2027, with an option to extend for one more year.
- Flamengo’s interest: the club is monitoring the situation, but high values could pose an obstacle.
- Acquittal impact: court decision opens doors for new proposals in Europe and Brazil.
The trial, which involved investigations into bets on yellow cards in games against Leicester, Aston Villa, Leeds, and Bournemouth, generated high expectations in English football. The favorable resolution allows Paquetá to continue his career without the threat of a suspension, which could have reached a permanent ban.
Acquittal reignites market for Paquetá
The news of Lucas Paquetá’s acquittal, published by The Times newspaper, brought relief to the player and West Ham. For two years, the alleged betting manipulation case limited the midfielder’s options in the European market. In 2023, a transfer to Manchester City, valued at 80 million pounds, was canceled due to the start of investigations. The London club, which planned to profit from the sale, saw the player’s market value drop to around 35 million euros in March 2025, according to Transfermarkt.
Now, with the judicial clearance, West Ham seeks to recover part of the investment. The decision to accept bids in the range of 30 million pounds reflects the club’s need to balance its finances, which has already negotiated other players like Mohammed Kudus, sold to Tottenham for 55 million pounds. The Hammers’ strategy is clear: take advantage of the transfer window to strengthen the squad, but only after securing significant departures.
Flamengo, Paquetá’s formative club, emerges as one of the main interested parties. During the Club World Cup, sports director José Boto highlighted interest in players with European experience, reinforcing the possibility of a move. However, the amounts involved would represent a record in Brazilian football, surpassing the club’s historic signings.
A torcida do Flamengo vai promover um Twitaço em apoio à contratação de Lucas Paquetá, cria do clube e que atualmente está no West Ham (ING).
— Paparazzo Rubro-Negro (@PapaRubroNegro) July 26, 2025
A mobilização está marcada para as 18h30 deste sábado (26), com a hashtag #PaquetaNoFlamengo.
A meta é colocar a campanha no topo dos… pic.twitter.com/hIGQ4x6TVx
Paquetá’s trajectory at West Ham
Since arriving at West Ham in 2022, Lucas Paquetá has stood out as a central piece in the midfield. In his debut season, he participated in 41 games and was key in winning the UEFA Europa Conference League, with a decisive assist in the final against Fiorentina. However, the match-fixing accusations affected his performance. In the 2024/2025 season, the midfielder played 25 matches, scoring four goals, numbers below expectations for a player of his caliber.
The pressure from the judicial case also had emotional repercussions. In May 2025, during a game against Tottenham, Paquetá was seen crying after receiving a yellow card, a moment that illustrated the weight of the accusations. The acquittal, therefore, not only ensures his continuity in football but also offers a chance for psychological and technical recovery.
- Key moments at West Ham:
- Premier League debut: 1-1 draw against Tottenham in August 2022.
- First goal: scored against Leeds United in January 2023.
- European conquest: assist in the Europa Conference League final in 2023.
- Case impact: decline in performance and market value over the last two years.
Flamengo’s interest and financial challenges
Flamengo is closely following Paquetá’s situation, but the negotiation faces obstacles. The value of 30 million pounds is a challenge for the Rio club, which would have to make the largest transaction in Brazilian football history. Despite this, the player’s desire to return to Brazil, especially to the club where he was revealed, could facilitate talks. Paquetá has never hidden his emotional connection to Flamengo, where he played between 2016 and 2018, featuring in 95 games and scoring goals in finals of competitions like the Copa do Brasil and Copa Sudamericana.
The Brazilian transfer window, which extends until April in the Série A calendar, gives Flamengo time to structure a proposal. However, competition from European clubs, attracted by the reduced price, could complicate plans. West Ham, in turn, maintains the stance of only negotiating if the minimum value is met, avoiding deals like loans, as previously proposed by the Rio club.
Repercussion in Brazilian football
The possibility of Paquetá’s return to Brazil stirs fans and analysts. On social media, the hashtag #FreePaqueta gained traction after the acquittal news, with Flamengo fans calling for the midfielder’s return. The red-and-black supporters see the player as an opportunity to strengthen the squad with an international-level athlete, capable of leading the midfield in competitions like the Brasileirão and Libertadores.
In addition to Flamengo, clubs from Saudi Arabia have also been mentioned as possible destinations, but Paquetá’s preference for returning to Brazil may weigh in the decision. The Brazilian national team, which kept the player in its call-ups during the process, also benefits from the acquittal, ensuring his presence in future competitions.
Paquetá’s history in European football
Before arriving at West Ham, Paquetá had stints at major European clubs. At AC Milan, between 2019 and 2020, he played 44 games but scored only one goal. At Lyon, between 2020 and 2022, he experienced his best moment, with 21 goals and 14 assists in 80 matches. His performance in Ligue 1 earned the Brazilian the title of best foreign player in the competition in 2021/2022, consolidating his reputation on the international scene.
At West Ham, despite recent difficulties, Paquetá demonstrated versatility, playing in different midfield positions. His technical skill, game vision, and ability to make decisive passes made him a target for clubs like Manchester City, which saw the player as an ideal reinforcement for Pep Guardiola’s scheme.
Financial impact for West Ham
Paquetá’s devaluation represents a significant loss for West Ham. Signed for 51 million pounds, the midfielder had his market value reduced to around 35 million euros during the height of the investigation. The sale for 30 million pounds, although below expectations, will allow the club to reinvest in new players, especially after departures like Kudus.
The London club also expressed frustration with the FA’s delay in resolving the case, which lasted two years and impacted important negotiations. The expectation is that the official acquittal, scheduled for the coming days, will bring greater clarity to the planning for the 2025/2026 season.
- Financial numbers of the case:
- Initial investment: 51 million pounds (R$379 million).
- Current sale value: 30 million pounds (R$223.2 million).
- Potential loss: about 21 million pounds compared to the amount paid.
- Frustrated negotiation: 80 million pounds with Manchester City in 2023.
Competitive scenario in the Premier League
West Ham, under the command of Julen Lopetegui, seeks to reinforce the squad for the 2025/2026 season. Paquetá’s possible departure, although financially necessary, creates a technical challenge, as the midfielder is a key piece in the coach’s tactical scheme. The team plans to use the sale resources to seek players who maintain competitiveness in the Premier League and European competitions.
Meanwhile, Flamengo prepares for the second half of the Brasileirão and the Libertadores, where a reinforcement like Paquetá could make a difference. The combination of international experience and club identification makes the midfielder a strategic target for the red-and-black.
Paquetá’s future in the Brazilian national team
Paquetá, with 55 games and 11 goals for the Brazilian national team, remains an important piece for coach Dorival Júnior. The acquittal ensures his eligibility for competitions like the 2026 World Cup Qualifiers. During the investigation period, the player was kept in the call-ups, demonstrating the CBF’s trust in his integrity.
A possible return to Brazil could bring Paquetá closer to Brazilian fans, but it also raises questions about his visibility in a less competitive market than the Premier League. The decision, therefore, involves not only financial aspects but also the player’s international career.
Next steps in the transfer window
With the imminent acquittal, the transfer market should heat up around Paquetá. West Ham, aware of interest from other clubs, may receive proposals from European teams, especially from Spain and Italy, where the player has already played. For Flamengo, the viability of the signing will depend on creative negotiations, such as partnerships or installments, to meet the English club’s financial demands.
The deadline for the Premier League transfer window, which closes in August, pressures West Ham to quickly define the player’s future. In Brazil, the more flexible calendar gives Flamengo a greater margin to structure the operation.
- Investigation chronology:
- August 2023: start of FA investigations due to betting suspicions.
- May 2024: Paquetá is formally accused of four violations.
- July 2025: acquittal announced by The Times, with officialization expected.
- Current: West Ham opens negotiations for 30 million pounds.
