It seems like a straight race between Lucas Paqueta and Guido Rodriguez when it comes to who will be the latest player to leave West Ham United during the January transfer window.
With a week still remaining before the deadline, a host of first-team options have departed.
Luis Guilherme joined Portuguese giants Sporting Lisbon. Scotland international Andy Irving left for Sparta Prague in the hope of securing a spot in his country’s World Cup squad. Niclas Fullkrug and Callum Marshall have got off the mark already, meanwhile, during loan spells at AC Milan and VFL Bochum.
The next to say their farewells, it appears, will either be Lucas Paqueta or Guido Rodriguez.
How many points would West Ham have taken from their last two games if Lucas Paqueta had been playing? 🤔
Maybe I’m harsh, but I just don’t think he suits this team anymore…
Nuno Espirito Santo was without Paqueta once again as West Ham United beat Sunderland in his absence. And while Guido Rodriguez was at the London Stadium supporting his soon-to-be former teammates, a La Liga return with Valencia is imminent.
There is, though, at least one more player who could be on the way before the deadline in early-February.
Palestra reported recently that Palmeiras have held talks to sign Igor Julio, the Brighton and Hove Albion loanee who has found gametime hard to come by despite West Ham’s defensive issues throughout much of the campaign.
Now, with Palmeiras’ interest backed up by a number of well-respected Brazilian sources, Paqueta may not be the only Brazilian heading back home.
Palmeiras are looking to sell before they sign West Ham United’s Igor Julio
Palmeiras have moved on a number of players already this month in an attempt to make room for new arrivals. CNN Brasil report that Igor is still a target – alongside Wolves’ former Flamengo winger Jhon Arias – but negotiations may be on the backburner until further departures take place.
“We are opening up spaces within the team so that we can bring in other players,” says Anderson Barros, technical director at the Allianz Parque. “We will bring them in, but we have defined very specific profiles and we need to pay attention to this movement.
“They are not simple, they are not easy to do. The only thing we can guarantee is that we are working hard to make these moves happen and that we can meet the requests of the coaching staff as a whole.”
Palmeiras appear to be in the market for a ball-playing centre-half. Nino of Zenit St Petersburg is one option, though Igor Julio’s naturally left-footed nature also puts him front and centre of the discussions.
“It’s not within my [power to make signings], and the club has responsible management. There are decisions I participate in and others that are not my responsibility,” explains head coach Abel Ferreira.
“I know how hard they are trying to bring in our first choice [targets]. I know the effort they are making because the targets are well-identified. But this is a part that goes beyond me. Four players left, players have to come in, there’s no doubt about that.
“I don’t know if more will leave.”
Where do YOU think it went wrong for Guido Rodriguez? 🇦🇷
And is letting him go the right move?
Lucas Paqueta closer than ever to Flamengo move as Brighton loanee waits for an update
It seems unlikely that West Ham would fight too hard to keep Igor until his temporary contract expires.
Teenager Ezra Mayers appears to have overtaken the Brighton loanee in Nuno Espirito Santo’s pecking order. Igor was also left out of the matchday squad entirely for Saturday’s 3-1 triumph over Sunderland, although he was on the bench against Tottenham seven days earlier.
As for the other Brazilian in Nuno’s roster, reporter Vene Casagrande claims that Paqueta is closer than ever to re-joining Flamengo following an offer in the region of £35 million.
The Rio-born Paqueta is desperate to return home to the club where he started his career, pre-AC Milan, pre-Lyon and pre-East London.
“It’s well known that Paqueta really wants to come here but, in every negotiation, there’s a third party,” Flamengo director Jose Boto told ESPN on Wednesday. “There is a third party that isn’t very convinced about selling Paqueta.
“We’ve had significant progress on this issue, but it’s a very difficult operation. We’re talking about values and players of a very high level.
“We’ll have to be patient, count on West Ham’s cooperation, negotiate with West Ham. It’s not like in Football Manager! There are many things involved.”
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