Flamengo chief claims Paqueta deal close
Lucas Paqueta's proposed move from West Ham to Flamengo is close to completion, so says the Brazilian club's president.
Paqueta, who joined West Ham from Lyon in 2022, wants to move back to his boyhood club, and has already reportedly agreed personal terms with Flamengo, the reigning Copa Libertadores champion.
The playmaker has not been involved in West Ham's last three matches, with reports emerging over the weekend that a fee of $48.9m (£35.8m) had been agreed for his transfer.
Flamengo's president Luiz Eduardo Baptista has now confirmed a deal is close, though a payment schedule needs to be agreed on.
"What I can say is that we are close," Baptista said. "We reached an agreement on several aspects, which I consider the most important. The difference is the payment method we will use.
"I'm focusing all my energy on resolving this [payment method] obstacle.
"If it [the deal] can be done within the next hour, great, if not, let it be in two or three hours. We're in contact every hour to adjust one thing or another.
"But I can't say exactly how long this will take. There's always the other side, West Ham's needs.
"But let's be clear: this is a transaction never before done in South America, and we highly value our word and the commitments we make."
Paqueta has featured 110 times for the Hammers, making 103 starts, and helped them win the Conference League in 2023.
The Brazil international has registered 26 goal involvements for the club (16 goals, 10 assists).
Paqueta has scored four Premier League goals and provided one assist in the competition this term, with West Ham sitting 18th, five points from safety.
