West Ham midfielder Lucas Paqueta wants to return to Brazil and play for Flamengo.
Brazil are prepared to pay him 26 million pounds (30 million euros) and are willing to take a pay cut to allow him to return home.
Relegation-threatened West Ham are reluctant to let one of their key players go, especially as they sit 18th and seven points clear of Premier League safety.
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Lucas Paqueta was sent off in West Ham’s home defeat to Liverpool in November.
Two Premier League clubs also want to sign Paqueta this month, but his mind is set on returning to Brazil.
Brazil’s transfer window is open until March.
West Ham have not received a formal offer for the 28-year-old, a club record, after joining from Lyon in a £51m deal in August 2022.
Paqueta missed Sunday’s home win against QPR and was at West Ham’s training ground on Monday.
Whatever decision West Ham make with Paqueta going forward, Sky Sports News reported that he will not be playing for them next season.
The Brazil international’s contract with West Ham runs until the summer of 2027, with West Ham having the option to extend his contract for a further 12 months.
Paqueta was cleared of spot match-fixing charges in July after a two-year investigation, which threatened to end his career.
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These are the four yellow cards that led to the West Ham midfielder being charged by the FA – Paqueta was cleared of spot match-fixing charges in July after a two-year investigation
