West Ham United are willing to sell Lucas Paquetá this month only if the deal includes a loan back for the rest of the season, a condition Flamengo are resisting. Flamengo have had a €35m bid rejected and may raise it to around €40m, but believe they could sign Paquetá more cheaply in the summer and are reluctant to loan him back.
Paquetá wants to return to Brazil after a difficult spell in England following spot-fixing allegations, which he was cleared of last year but which cost him a move to Manchester City. West Ham, fighting relegation, fear losing one of their best players could deepen their problems. Manager Nuno Espírito Santo has said the situation must be resolved quickly as the club weigh the risks of selling Paquetá against the need to strengthen elsewhere.
