Softfootball understands that Lucas Paquetá’s long-awaited return to Flamengo has now been officially confirmed, sealing one of the most eye-catching transfers in Brazilian football history, as reported by Fabrizio Romano via his official X account.
He posted:
BREAKING: Lucas Paquetá to Flamengo, here we go! Record deal agreed for €42m fee. West Ham accept the proposal after direct contact with director José Boto today, Paquetá travels later today. Five year contract. Paquetá volta pra casa.
Following a recent report that Paquetá was pushing for a Flamengo return, West Ham United, who recently completed the signing of Adama Traoré, finally accepted a record €42 million offer, making Paquetá the most expensive signing ever in the Brazilian Serie A.
The agreement was wrapped up today, following direct discussions between Flamengo sporting director José Boto and West Ham officials. Paquetá is expected to travel back to Brazil later today, where he will complete a medical before signing a five-year contract with his boyhood club.
It’s a full-circle moment for the midfielder, who first broke through at Flamengo before heading to Europe.
Paquetá is expected to undergo his medical in Brazil. Despite concerns over a lingering back issue that sidelined him at West Ham, personal terms are already agreed, tying him to Flamengo until 2030.
If paperwork is processed quickly with the CBF, he could even feature in Sunday’s Supercopa do Brasil final against Corinthians.
After spells with AC Milan, Lyon and West Ham, where he lifted the UEFA Conference League in 2023, Paquetá returns as a vastly experienced international. His desire to leave England grew stronger after he was cleared of spot-fixing allegations in July 2025, a period his wife publicly described as a nightmare.
West Ham, meanwhile, are hovering near the Premier League relegation zone, but recent wins have eased the pressure. With performances improving even without Paquetá, the club opted to cash in, and now plan to reinvest part of the fee in their survival push.
