Lucas Paqueta wants to leave West Ham United

Lucas Paqueta wants to leave West Ham United and join Flamengo in the January transfer window, according to journalist Dean Jones and Graeme Bailey, but the Hammers are reluctant to sanction a deal midway through the season.

Jones told TEAMtalk: “He seems very adamant about the fact he’s ready to go, and from what I heard on Monday, West Ham weren’t particularly impressed by the way in which he’s going about it.

“They don’t want him to leave right now. I’m not saying he’s totally thrown his toys out of the pram, but I can see a situation occurring here where he tries to force it.”

Bailey said: “I think he will try and force it. I did speak to his people, they emphasised he won’t be going on strike or anything. But as we know, there’s many ways of trying to get their way with players.

“He does want to go to Flamengo. I think David Sullivan’s a little bit frustrated with the fact that he’s chosen Flamengo and he’s agreed personal terms in principle.

“Sullivan’s a little bit annoyed because I understand the likes of Chelsea, Tottenham and Villa have all had contact in the last month, as have the Saudi Pro League, and Paqueta’s insistent he is not going anywhere other than Flamengo.

“David Sullivan wants £42m, approaching £50m to wipe his feet on the player so he doesn’t lose any money, but as we know, Flamengo are not paying £50m or £40m for a player.

“It’s so fascinating. Let’s not forget that the Brazilian transfer market goes on until March. 

“I think there’s a real chance Flamengo and West Ham agree to wait until March. 

“We’ll know what’s happening in March, we’ll know if West Ham are staying up or not, so I think there’s a very good chance that they get another two months out of him, because let’s face it, West Ham can’t afford to lose any good players and they don’t have that many and Paqueta’s one of them.”