Paquetá agrees Flamengo terms as pressure shifts to West Ham
Lucas Paqueta has reportedly reached an agreement with Flamengo on personal terms, with Roc Nation Sports behind his back. The player side described as “all done” as talks continue between Flamengo and West Ham. The key point now is West Ham’s stance: reports say Paquetá is pushing to make the move happen, but West Ham remain reluctant to sanction a January exit.
The story escalated after reports claimed Paquetá asked not to play in West Ham’s FA Cup tie against QPR, despite not being injured. Flamengo are said to be willing to pay around €40m for the midfielder, yet West Ham’s hesitation is rooted in timing – they are battling near the bottom of the Premier League and view Paqueta as a key creative figure.
Who is Lucas Paqueta?
Paqueta (born 27.08.1997) came through Flamengo’s academy before moving to Europe, playing for AC Milan and Lyon prior to joining West Ham in 2022. A technically gifted, high-volume creator who can play as a No. 10 or advanced midfielder, he has long spoken about his emotional connection to Flamengo – which is a major reason this return narrative keeps resurfacing whenever a window opens.
The agency angle – Roc Nation Sports as a global “powerhouse”
Paqueta is represented by Roc Nation Sports, part of the wider Roc Nation group founded by Shawn “JAY-Z” Carter and led by Michael Yormark - president of Roc Nation Sports International. Roc Nation Sports launched in 2013 and is built around athlete representation and brand development.
In football, Roc Nation Sports International expanded into Brazil in 2023 via the acquisition of TFM Agency, with Frederico Pena taking a leadership role in the Brazilian venture. Paquetá was positioned as a flagship football client for that Brazil operation, underlining how strategically important he is inside their global football push.
The agency also represents Vinicius Junior, Kevin De Bruyne, Gabriel Martinelli or Endrick.
The player’s side is positioned as ready, Flamengo are positioned as willing, and the negotiation now sits with West Ham. If West Ham continue to resist a January sale, the big question becomes whether Paquetá plays again while pushing for an exit – or whether the standoff forces a quicker decision than the club would like.
