West Ham United have seen a big-name player linked with an exit - but he has rejected their London rivals
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West Ham United are staring a first Premier League relegation since 2010/11 in the face and Nuno Espirito Santo will know that his side must improve this January – both on and off the pitch – if they are to boost their chances of survival.
The current gap between the Hammers and safety is seven points after back-to-back defeats to Wolves and Nottingham Forest dealt the east London side with an almighty blow to start the new year.
The January transfer window has offered the opportunity for Nuno to bring in the players he wants and a £45 million double striker swoop for Taty Castellanos and Pablo was quickly finalised in the early days of the window. Argentine frontman Castellanos scored on his West Ham debut in FA Cup success over Championship outfit Queens Park Rangers and will know that similar exploits will be required from him in the league.
A latest update surrounding the transfer situation of Lucas Paqueta has emerged, amidst speculation of an exit for the Hammers midfielder in recent days.
Paqueta ‘rejected’ Tottenham and Chelsea and only wants Flamengo move
Transfer News Live report on X that Paqueta has ‘rejected’ approaches from a trio of Premier League giants in recent weeks, as speculation surrounding his future at West Ham continues. London rivals Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur have both been rejected by the midfielder as per the report, while Aston Villa have also seen an approach knocked back.
The player is said to ‘only’ want a move back to Flamengo in Brazil, which is stated to be the one sole club for whom he will leave West Ham – amidst claims that ‘he wants to go back home’.
Reporting from TEAMtalk continues that the 28-year-old has agreed ‘personal terms in principle’ with Flamengo and is insistent on moving back to his homeland, with lucrative offers from the Saudi Pro League also firmly rebuffed by the player and his representatives. West Ham owner David Sullivan is said to be ‘frustrated’ at Paqueta’s stance, knowing that the club would be able to obtain a higher transfer fee from a Premier League rival.
Paqueta to Flamengo latest amid failed £30m bid
Paqueta’s prospective return to Flamengo may not be a simple one, though, as recent reports from The Athletic confirm that the Brazilian giants have lodged a €35m (£30.3m) bid for their former player but seen it rejected by West Ham.
TEAMtalk state that Sullivan wants a deal starting at £42.5m, with further costs ‘likely to take any deal beyond £50m’ if they are to part ways with Paqueta, whom they signed from Lyon for £51m in 2022 to make him their record signing to this day.
Flamengo are unlikely to lodge a bid which matches this fee and this could create a complicated situation over the coming months, amidst claims that Paqueta is contemplating ‘strike action’ in order to force through the surprise move.
Reporting continues that West Ham are reluctant to lose one of their most talented players mid-way through their relegation battle so Flamengo may need to wait until March to seal a deal – as their transfer window remains open until then and West Ham will likely have a clearer picture regarding their likelihood of staying up, and the impact which selling Paqueta could have on this. The transfer saga will be one to watch out for in the coming weeks and, potentially, months.