Paqueta Pushes for Flamengo Exit as West Ham Face Relegation Fight Without Star

Lucas Paqueta's unhappiness at West Ham has reached a critical point, with the Brazilian midfielder having already struck a deal on personal terms with Flamengo and actively pushing for an exit from the Premier League.

The 28-year-old's discontent came into sharp focus during Sunday's FA Cup third-round tie against Championship outfit QPR, which the Hammers won 2-1. Despite being fit and available, Paqueta deliberately withdrew himself from the squad—a move that spoke volumes about his desire to engineer a departure.

According to reports, the playmaker has grown disillusioned with English football and harbours a keen appetite for a return to his native Brazil. Flamengo are prepared to table a €40m (£34.7m) bid to secure his services, though the structure of any deal remains uncertain.

Fabrizio Romano has confirmed that personal terms between Paqueta and the Rio de Janeiro club are already locked in. The transfer specialist indicated that negotiations are now progressing between the two clubs, with the player actively campaigning to make the move happen.

West Ham find themselves in an unenviable position. Sitting 18th in the table ahead of Saturday's trip to Tottenham, manager Nuno Espírito Santo's side are desperate to cling on to their prized asset during the run-in. The club would much prefer to retain Paqueta through to the summer, viewing him as a crucial component in their survival bid.

However, a source close to the midfielder has made clear there is virtually no prospect of him remaining at the London Stadium beyond this season, regardless of West Ham's efforts to persuade him otherwise.

Paqueta's situation represents yet another headache for the Hammers, who suffered a damaging 2-1 defeat to Nottingham Forest last week. The 28-year-old has been one of West Ham's few genuinely quality operators, though questions about his attitude have lingered throughout his spell in the capital.

His time at the club has been complicated by a separate betting investigation, which previously scuppered a potential move to Manchester City. Aston Villa, Manchester United and Spurs have all been linked with him at various points, though a move never materialised.

Now, with the player's mind seemingly already on Brazilian shores, West Ham face the prospect of fighting their relegation battle without one of their brightest talents.