Lucas Paquetá's Future Hangs in Balance as He Pushes for Flamengo Move Amid FA Cup Woes
Lucas Paquetá's growing discontent with West Ham United has reached a boiling point, with the Brazilian midfielder requesting to be left out of their FA Cup tie against Queens Park Rangers (QPR). The 28-year-old had expressed his desire to join Flamengo this month, citing his longing for return to his homeland and an end to the uncertainty that has plagued him in England.
Despite West Ham's attempts to reinvigorate Paquetá, who was last year cleared of alleged betting regulations breaches, the club is now faced with the daunting task of deciding whether to keep or sell their prized midfielder. The pressure mounted as Paquetá missed the match against QPR despite being fit and healthy, further fuelling speculation about his future.
Sources close to Paquetá claim that he has no intention of returning to West Ham next season, a stance that could spell trouble for the club. With Flamengo willing to shell out €40m for him, the Brazilian Série A side will likely test West Ham's resolve this month. The player's reluctance to stay in England stems from his struggles with the Football Association (FA) and a tumultuous period in his personal life.
Paquetá's performance has suffered since an investigation into spot-fixing allegations surfaced last year. His move to Manchester City was stalled due to these issues, and he has come under fire for his behavior on the pitch, including picking up a red card during a 2-0 defeat by Liverpool.
With West Ham struggling in the Premier League, the club is faced with an unwelcome dilemma: should they sell Paquetá now or risk losing him without getting value for money? The question remains whether Nuno Espírito Santo's side can afford to sanction the midfielder's departure, especially given their recent struggles to balance the books.
Lucas Paquetá's growing discontent with West Ham United has reached a boiling point, with the Brazilian midfielder requesting to be left out of their FA Cup tie against Queens Park Rangers (QPR). The 28-year-old had expressed his desire to join Flamengo this month, citing his longing for return to his homeland and an end to the uncertainty that has plagued him in England.
Despite West Ham's attempts to reinvigorate Paquetá, who was last year cleared of alleged betting regulations breaches, the club is now faced with the daunting task of deciding whether to keep or sell their prized midfielder. The pressure mounted as Paquetá missed the match against QPR despite being fit and healthy, further fuelling speculation about his future.
Sources close to Paquetá claim that he has no intention of returning to West Ham next season, a stance that could spell trouble for the club. With Flamengo willing to shell out €40m for him, the Brazilian Série A side will likely test West Ham's resolve this month. The player's reluctance to stay in England stems from his struggles with the Football Association (FA) and a tumultuous period in his personal life.
Paquetá's performance has suffered since an investigation into spot-fixing allegations surfaced last year. His move to Manchester City was stalled due to these issues, and he has come under fire for his behavior on the pitch, including picking up a red card during a 2-0 defeat by Liverpool.
With West Ham struggling in the Premier League, the club is faced with an unwelcome dilemma: should they sell Paquetá now or risk losing him without getting value for money? The question remains whether Nuno Espírito Santo's side can afford to sanction the midfielder's departure, especially given their recent struggles to balance the books.