West Ham's bid to offload Lucas Paquetá faces resistance from Flamengo, who are reluctant to loan the midfielder back due to concerns over a potential long-term purchase. The Brazilian, who has struggled to cope with life in England after allegations of spot-fixing, has grown disillusioned with his time at West Ham and wants to return to Brazil.
With the transfer window closing soon, West Ham is under pressure to solve the situation quickly. Manager Nuno Espirito Santo acknowledges that Paquetá's absence could be a major blow to the team, which is already struggling to stay in the Premier League. Losing Paquetá would condemn them to relegation, with the club currently seven points below 17th-placed Nottingham Forest.
The Brazilian midfielder has been at odds with West Ham since the Football Association's investigation into allegations of spot-fixing came to light last year. Despite being cleared of the charges, the episode has affected him emotionally and led him to express his desire to leave the club. Paquetá has even asked to be left out of some matches, citing a lack of support from the FA.
Selling Paquetá would boost West Ham's budget as they look for defensive reinforcements, but the dilemma remains whether holding on to the player is in their best interests. The club has not kept a clean sheet since August and is struggling to attract top talent due to financial constraints.
Meanwhile, Flamengo is prepared to raise its offer for Paquetá, which currently stands at around €40m, if West Ham includes an agreement for him to return on loan. However, the Brazilian club is hesitant to commit to a deal that could delay their purchase of the midfielder in the summer.
As West Ham navigates this difficult situation, they are also dealing with injury concerns and internal power struggles. Cole Palmer's thigh strain has raised questions about Chelsea's attack options, while Jamie Gittens and Liam Delap were unwell. The club is also considering a move for Filip Jorgensen, who is currently Chelsea's No 2 goalkeeper.
The stakes are high for West Ham as they try to address their defensive woes without Paquetá, who has been a key player for the team in his absence. With the transfer window closing soon, the club must make a decision quickly to avoid further relegation concerns.
With the transfer window closing soon, West Ham is under pressure to solve the situation quickly. Manager Nuno Espirito Santo acknowledges that Paquetá's absence could be a major blow to the team, which is already struggling to stay in the Premier League. Losing Paquetá would condemn them to relegation, with the club currently seven points below 17th-placed Nottingham Forest.
The Brazilian midfielder has been at odds with West Ham since the Football Association's investigation into allegations of spot-fixing came to light last year. Despite being cleared of the charges, the episode has affected him emotionally and led him to express his desire to leave the club. Paquetá has even asked to be left out of some matches, citing a lack of support from the FA.
Selling Paquetá would boost West Ham's budget as they look for defensive reinforcements, but the dilemma remains whether holding on to the player is in their best interests. The club has not kept a clean sheet since August and is struggling to attract top talent due to financial constraints.
Meanwhile, Flamengo is prepared to raise its offer for Paquetá, which currently stands at around €40m, if West Ham includes an agreement for him to return on loan. However, the Brazilian club is hesitant to commit to a deal that could delay their purchase of the midfielder in the summer.
As West Ham navigates this difficult situation, they are also dealing with injury concerns and internal power struggles. Cole Palmer's thigh strain has raised questions about Chelsea's attack options, while Jamie Gittens and Liam Delap were unwell. The club is also considering a move for Filip Jorgensen, who is currently Chelsea's No 2 goalkeeper.
The stakes are high for West Ham as they try to address their defensive woes without Paquetá, who has been a key player for the team in his absence. With the transfer window closing soon, the club must make a decision quickly to avoid further relegation concerns.