Flamengo’s board awaits West Ham’s response after formalizing a proposal by Lucas Paquetá

Flamengo made official, this Thursday (22), a proposal of 40 million euros (approximately R$ 249.2 million) to West Ham, from Inglaterra, to complete the signing of midfielder Lucas Paquetá. The red and black board maintains a climate of optimism behind the scenes, especially after the 28-year-old player expressed his explicit desire to return to the club that revealed him. Entre the athlete and the Rio team already have a verbal agreement for a four-season contract, with the London club now remaining flexible regarding the financial terms and release date.

The negotiation, led by football director José Boto, took on new contours after the return of president Luiz Eduardo Baptista from a period of recess at Europa. The English club had previously signaled that it would accept to negotiate the Brazilian for a value close to 45 million euros, while Flamengo is trying to close the operation in slightly lower figures. Além of the financial issue, the main point of discussion in Rio of Janeiro is the transfer schedule, as the English resist releasing the number 10 immediately.

Financial impasses and the payment model

West Ham is going through an unstable moment at Premier League, fighting at the bottom of the table, which motivates coach Nuno Espírito Santo’s resistance to losing his main articulator. The English initially suggested that the sale be closed now, but that Paquetá would remain at Londres on loan until the end of the European season in June. However, Flamengo insists on integrating the athlete this January to reinforce the squad in the national and continental competitions that are about to begin.

The financial engineering of the operation is also a point of attention for red and black managers, who seek to split the total amount of the purchase. José Boto publicly reinforced that payment in installments is a common practice in the international market, including among European giants, and is not exclusive to Brazilian clubs. The official proposal of 40 million euros would represent the biggest signing in the history of national football, surpassing previous investments by the club itself.

Details of the proposal and player’s desire

Lucas Paquetá’s desire has been the driving force behind the conversations, as the player has already informed West Ham that he does not intend to listen to offers from other European clubs, such as Tottenham. The midfielder understands that returning to Brasil at this moment would be fundamental for his career and for maintaining his space in Seleção Brasileira aiming for the Copa cycle of Mundo.

• Verbal agreement between Flamengo and player for 4 years.
• Official proposed value: 40 million euros.
• Initial order for West Ham: 45 million euros.
• Athlete’s desire: immediate Liberação for Rio of Janeiro.

Technical context with Filipe Luís

Coach Filipe Luís recently commented on the situation of the squad and the possible arrival of important reinforcements like his former teammate. Embora maintains the speech of respect for Paquetá’s current bond with the Hammers, the coach does not hide that the midfielder’s technical quality would raise the team’s competitive level. The board works to give the coach varied options in a calendar that promises to be extremely demanding in 2026.

The friendly relationship between Filipe Luís and Paquetá is also seen as a facilitator in informal conversations about the club’s sports project. The coach highlighted that, for a player to wear the red-black shirt currently, he needs to present a level of excellence compatible with the institution’s ambitions. The arrival of a name of this caliber would be the culmination of planning that has already brought other important names to the start of the season.

Reinforcements confirmed and planning for the season

If the deal for Lucas Paquetá is sealed, he will join the other two reinforcements already announced by the club this January to strengthen the main group. Defender Vitão, ex-Internacional, and goalkeeper Andrew, who was in Gil Vicente of

1. Vitão (Defender): Contratado to bring defensive solidity and youth to the sector.
2. Andrew (Goalkeeper): Chega to compete for position with Rossi after a highlighted pass by Europa.
3. Lucas Paquetá (Midfielder): Alvo main to be the technical reference in the creative midfield.

History of Paquetá in European and red-black football

Revealed in the youth categories of Flamengo in 2016, Paquetá played 96 official games and scored 18 goals before being sold to Milan at the beginning of 2019. value for Premier League. No West Ham, he became an idol when he won the UEFA title Conference League, but now he feels that the cycle in English football may be coming to an end.

The return of the “Garoto do Ninho” is eagerly awaited by the fans, who see in the player the identity necessary to lead the team on the field. The board hopes that the pressure exerted by the athlete’s staff behind the scenes at Londres will accelerate the English’s definitive response in the coming days. Caso or