In a landmark transfer that has shaken both the Premier League and Brazilian football, West Ham United midfielder Lucas Paquetá is set for a dramatic return to his boyhood club, Flamengo, in a deal making him the most expensive player in Brazilian Serie A history.
After intense negotiations, the clubs have agreed on a fixed transfer fee of approximately €42 million (£35.8 million to £36.5 million), shattering the previous national record.
The 28-year-old Brazilian international, who had 18 months remaining on his contract with West Ham, has agreed to personal terms on a five-year deal with the Rio de Janeiro giants, committing his future until at least 2029.
Paquetá is expected to travel to Brazil imminently to complete a medical and finalize the move, which has been his stated desire for months. “I really expressed my desire to return,” Paquetá told Globoesporte in a recent interview, confirming he had been pushing for the move since the previous summer. He added, “I know that at some point this return will happen”.
The transfer concludes a prolonged period of uncertainty surrounding the player, whose final months in England were overshadowed by a Football Association investigation into alleged betting breaches.
Although he was cleared of all charges in 2025 after a near two-year ordeal, the experience significantly impacted him. Sources close to the player described a “nightmare” time, with his wife saying he spent “two years in hell”. This reportedly led to Paquetá becoming “disillusioned with life in England”, a key factor in his determination to leave.
For Flamengo, the reigning Brazilian champions, the acquisition is a massive statement of intent. The club’s president, Luiz Eduardo Baptista, emphasized the need for financial prudence in structuring the deal, which will see the fee paid in installments stretching to 2028.
“We’re not going to ruin our plans,” a source close to the Flamengo negotiations told ESPN. “The way we want to close the deal protects us even if we have a bad year financially. We want to be sure we can pay. That’s called responsibility”.
West Ham manager Nuno Espirito Santo, whose side is currently embroiled in a relegation battle, acknowledged the need for clarity. “What I hope is the situation to be solved as soon as possible,” Nuno stated before the deal was finalized.
“Every part involved has to be solved and to be clear, so we have a direction to move forward”. Paquetá had not featured for the Hammers since early January, with the club citing a back issue.
The move marks a full-circle moment for Paquetá, who began his career in Flamengo’s youth academy and made his senior debut for the club in 2016 before departing for AC Milan in 2019.
His return as a established European and international star sets a new financial benchmark for Brazilian football and instantly bolsters Flamengo’s squad as they prepare to defend their league title. If registered in time, he could make his second debut as early as this weekend in the Brazilian Super Cup final against Corinthians.