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3 days ago
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Flamengo are locked in negotiations with West Ham after making a new £35.8m bid for Lucas Paquetá.
Although the offer has not been accepted there is growing optimism on Flamengo’s side that they will secure the Brazil international. The clubs are focused on the payment structure of the deal and it is understood that it is moving in the right direction.
It remains to be seen if West Ham alter their position of being willing to sell Paquetá only if he returns to them on loan for the rest of the season. Paquetá is desperate to return to Brazil and Flamengo want him in their side as soon as possible. West Ham, though, are in 18th place in the Premier League and feel the 28-year-old should help them in their bid to stay up.
Paquetá has grown disillusioned with life in England since being accused of spot-fixing by the Football Association. He was cleared of the charges by an independent disciplinary commission last summer but has made it clear that he wants to leave West Ham during this transfer window. The former Lyon player has missed West Ham’s past three games. He is nursing a minor back injury.
Nuno Espírito Santo, West Ham’s manager, has said he believes Paquetá will play for the club again. However, there are some figures within West Ham who think the best solution would be to grant Paquetá his wish to go home. The Hammers, who are five points below 17th-placed Nottingham Forest, remain in talks with Fulham over a deal for Adama Traoré.
Selling Paquetá would give West Ham funds to reinforce their squad. They have spent up to £47.5m on the strikers Pablo Felipe and Taty Castellanos. Nuno wants to bring in a goalkeeper, a defender and a midfielder.
A replacement is needed for the Argentina midfielder Guido Rodríguez, who is joining Valencia after agreeing to terminate his contract by mutual consent. Nuno believes that West Ham, whose mood has lifted after three consecutive wins in all competitions, need to rebalance his squad after years of poor recruitment.
