Lucas Paquetá says Flamengo return tempted him but loyalty to West Ham prevailed

Lucas Paquetá has revealed he found it hard to reject interest from boyhood club Flamengo during the summer, but said he ultimately chose to remain with West Ham out of loyalty after the club supported him through a lengthy FA investigation.

The Brazilian midfielder was cleared of spot-fixing allegations in July by an independent regulatory commission, ending an investigation that lasted nearly two years. Paquetá, who had been close to an £85m move to Manchester City before the charges emerged in 2023, said the process placed a heavy emotional burden on him and his family.

Speaking to Brazilian outlet Globo, the 28-year-old said West Ham’s backing during that period shaped his decision to stay, even when Flamengo made a direct approach.

Paquetá confirmed that initial contact from Flamengo came when Marcos Braz was still at the club, with the Rio side expressing a strong desire to bring him home. He admitted the emotional pull was significant.

“I know of Flamengo’s desire, and they know of my desire, my passion for the club,” he said. “Obviously, I always want to go back to Flamengo, but at that moment I was still a bit undecided about what I was going to do.”

He revealed Braz even visited him at home with an offer shortly after the investigation began, but discussions with West Ham’s hierarchy reinforced his sense of duty to the London club.

“I said: ‘I want to go back, I know I’ll feel good at Flamengo, but I can’t be ungrateful to the club that’s supporting me so much.’ They supported me and my family at all times. I couldn’t force an exit from a place where I was being respected.”

Paquetá admitted he told his agents and Flamengo head coach Filipe Luís of his desire to return this summer, but accepted that the financial realities of a transfer — combined with his respect for West Ham — made a deal impossible.

“It was a difficult decision because I’m 28, still young, and I still have a lot of market value. I tried very hard, but once again I chose to respect my club,” he said.

The midfielder insisted that a return to Flamengo remains part of his long-term future, believing the “doors will always be open”, but acknowledged that this summer was not the right moment for the move.

Paquetá remains a key figure for West Ham as the club navigates a turbulent start to the season, with his future likely to remain the subject of speculation in future windows.