The response from Lucas Paqueta’s Brazil teammates, as his chapter at West Ham United comes to a close and he begins a new story at Flamengo, tells its own tale.
West Ham confirmed Paqueta’s imminent departure in a club statement on Wednesday afternoon.
Two days after Flamengo’s president revealed that an agreement was close, a fee between the two clubs was finally agreed. The reigning Brazilian and Copa Libertadores champions will reportedly stump up £35.7 million. A sum which makes Lucas Paqueta the third-best sale in West Ham United’s history, and sees the club recoup much of the fee they forked over to Lyon in 2022.
West Ham did all they could but Lucas Paqueta STILL wanted out! 😡
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It is no secret that the FA charge which denied Paqueta his dream move to Manchester City – the Hammers missed out on £80 million in the process – took its toll.
The playmaker cried on the pitch against Tottenham last season. Close friend and Newcastle captain Bruno Guimaraes reflected on ‘long exchanges of tears [and] agony’ when lifting the lid on two years of legal hell.
Vinicius Jr is another who has seen Paqueta’s reputation dragged through the dirt and his career placed in the balance. The Real Madrid superstar is as delighted as any Flamengo fan, then, to see a homecoming finally come to fruition.
Lucas Paqueta swaps West Ham United for Flamengo to Vinicius Jr’s relief
Vinicius Jr made no secret of his desire to see Paqueta escape. Not to escape West Ham, per se, but the glare of English football as a whole. This is a transfer borne more out personal well-being than prospective sporting success.
“It was ****** up!,” Vinicius wrote in a sweary response to Paqueta’s farewell video, presumably referring to the spot-fixing charge which hung like a black cloud over his head for two years.
“But come back home!”
Back home, then, Paqueta comes.
“Hello Hammers! I want to thank everyone at the club; staff, employees, and players, for the years I’ve spent here,” the Rio-born ace wrote on Instagram, a clear attempt to keep those bridges from burning and to reflect his gratitude to a club who stood by his side, unwavering.
“These have been unique, memorable moments. Some happy, some not. But I always tried to be my best self – and we all know why that’s no longer possible. Some scars I’ll carry for the rest of my life, and one made me realise I can’t keep fighting against something that’s no longer for me.
“I refused offers from rival teams to stay in Europe. I never asked to leave. I did ask to return home, and I hope someday you’ll understand that nothing is more comforting than going back home.”
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Paqueta explains why he needed Brazil homecoming
Paqueta held talks with Flamengo last summer, and the summer before. Some will question his desire to play back in Brazil at the age of just 28 but, as the man himself is at pains to point out, this is a decision made with his family and his happiness in the foreground.
“I need this for my mental health, my wife, and my children. I need to find joy in football again, and regain my peace,” Paqueta added. “I realised that here I’d still need to fight battles that aren’t mine anymore.
“It was never about the club’s current situation. When I arrived, we faced similar challenges, but ultimately won a title that will forever be a part of history. I know some won’t remember me fondly, and I’m sorry – but that pass to [Jarrod] Bowen [in the UEFA Conference League final] came from someone who stayed true to his dream.
“I’m going home, but I’ll always support you. Thank you for everything, West Ham.”
In terms of possible replacements, the jury remains out on Pablo Felipe. He stepped into the number ten role during those successive wins over QPR, Tottenham and Sunderland, with promising but mixed results.
Paris FC’s Ilan ‘new Riyad Mahrez’ Kebbal has been mentioned. Former Feyenoord captain Quinten Timber joined Marseille last week however for a fee of just £4 million, while PSG snapped up Barcelona whizzkid Pedro ‘Dro’ Fernandez.
Both were linked with the Hammers.
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