- Lucas Paqueta is reportedly keen to join boyhood club Flamengo in January
- But West Ham said they planned to include him as part of a move for Igor Jesus
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Lucas Paqueta is reportedly keen on returning to his boyhood club in January despite West Ham wanting to use him as part of a deal to sign Botafogo’s Igor Jesus.
Julen Lopetegui is said to be keeping an eye on Jesus, who has played four caps for Brazil this year.
As such, the Hammers could be willing to use Paqueta as an intermediary in their pursuit of the 23-year-old striker, according to a report from the Irish sun.
However, Brazilian side Flamengo are reportedly planning to bring Paqueta back to the club where he started his senior career in 2016.
If given the option, the report states that Paqueta would prefer a move to Flamengo, where he made 95 appearances in all competitions before leaving for AC Milan in 2018.
Manchester City were linked with bringing Paqueta to the Etihad this summer, but the move ultimately fell through and he remained in east London.
Lucas Paqueta’s desire to return to his boyhood club in January could reportedly impact West Ham’s transfer plans
The Hammers are said to be planning to sign Paqueta as part of a bid to sign striker Igor Jesus from Botafogo
But Paqueta is reportedly planning to rejoin Flamengo, the club with which he made his senior debut
Paqueta joined West Ham in the summer of 2022 and quickly became an integral part under then Hammers boss David Moyes.
In his first campaign, Paqueta made 41 appearances as the club ended their 43-year wait for a major trophy by beating Fiorentina to conquer the Europa Conference League.
Now in his third season at the London Stadium, the Brazilian has remained a regular in Lopetegui’s midfield despite FA charges of ‘spot fixing’, an accusation he denies.
The 27-year-old is accused of deliberately booking in an attempt to influence the betting markets and is expected to face a hearing.
The Football Association alleges that Paqueta was deliberately booked in matches against Leicester, Aston Villa, Leeds and Bournemouth so that he and/or his friends could profit from bets placed on his card.
Paqueta has denied all charges against him and has previously said he will “fight with every breath to clear my name.”
Around 60 people in Brazil are said to have placed bets between £7 and £400 on him being booked in relevant matches, with a total winning of £100,000.
Paqueta will be heard in March. If found guilty, he could be banned from football for life.