West Ham have now green-lit a ‘strange’ January exit deal alongside their talks to sell Lucas Paqueta to Flamengo, according to insider ExWHUemployee.
Lucas Paqueta closing in on West Ham exit
The Brazil midfielder is believed to be closing in on a West Ham departure this month, after making clear his desire to leave, with a return to boyhood club Flamengo firmly on the cards.
Paqueta’s emotional return to Brazil appears imminent after West Ham and Flamengo verbally agreed a groundbreaking transfer worth £36 million.
According to Sky Sports, the deal is expected to be formalized in writing very soon, marking one of the most significant transfers in South American football history.
The 28-year-old expressed his wish to quit earlier this month, despite interest from two other Premier League clubs, reportedly including Tottenham.
Paqueta’s heart remains set on returning to his boyhood club, with personal terms reportedly agreed until December 2029.
The Brazilian has become increasingly disillusioned with life in England following a two-year investigation into spot-fixing allegations, charges, from which he was cleared last July.
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West Ham initially valued the midfielder at £40 million but ultimately accepted Flamengo’s offer with no performance-related bonuses.
However, negotiations continue regarding payment structure, with Flamengo proposing installments over three years while West Ham prefer full payment within 18 months.
Media sources suggest a compromise involving a two to two-and-a-half-year schedule could be reached.
The transfer represents a landmark moment for South American football, with ESPN Brasil reporting the final operation could approach £43 million when fully structured – a figure never before paid by a club from the continent.
For Flamengo, bringing in Paqueta seriously strengthens their midfield alongside European-experienced players like Jorginho and Saul Niguez.
Despite West Ham’s relegation battle, their recent three-in-a-row victories minus Paqueta give manager Nuno Espírito Santo plenty of encouragement they’ll be fine without him.
Should formalities be completed swiftly, Paqueta could well feature in Flamengo’s Brazilian Super Cup clash against Corinthians this Sunday.
For West Ham, attention turns back to the transfer market, with winger Adama Traoré in the process of formalising a move to the London Stadium.
However, after Paqueta and Guido Rodriguez, it is now believed that West Ham are on the verge of another exit deal.
West Ham green-light ‘strange’ James Ward-Prowse move to Burnley
According to reliable insider Ex, via his Patreon, the player about to potentially leave is Nuno outcast James Ward-Prowse.
The Englishman was frozen out immediately after Nuno’s arrival at Rush Green, and he is now poised to complete a loan move to Burnley with the Hammers signing off on his transfer.
“James Ward-Prowse has been given permission to sign on loan for Burnley until the end of the season,” Ex said.
“In a strange move for the club considering Burnley are in a relegation battle with us. Nuno has made it clear he doesn’t rate the player and is prepared to free up a squad space and wages by allowing him to move.”
The 31-year-old, who was signed by David Moyes in the 2023/2024 season, got his West Ham career off to a brief flyer.
In his first campaign, Ward-Prowse racked up seven goals and 12 assists in all competitions across 52 appearances, but he was then shunned by Julen Lopetegui, who sent him to Nuno at Nottingham Forest.
After Nuno terminated his loan there, Ward-Prowse returned to London, where he was used far more often and vice-captained by Graham Potter.’
However, this wouldn’t last, and once Nuno was appointed as Potter’s successor, it spelled the end for Ward-Prowse’s West Ham career.
Now, as he closes in on a move to Turf Moor, the former Southampton favourite could ironically help West Ham’s arch relegation rivals in their own bid to avoid the drop.
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