After what has felt like an eternity of a saga, Lucas Paqueta has officially left the Hammers in order to complete his move to Flamengo. The club managed to agree on a fee for €42,000,000, which isn’t only Flamingo’s record fee, but it’s the Brazilian league’s record.
The ongoing saga could’ve been completed at a much quicker rate than expected, in which a week ago the Hammers had actually accepted a lower offer with a lucrative payment schedule, but last minute, Flamengo pulled the offer and it triggered another week of negotiating, which is now finally over.
There were initially rumours that Paqueta would land in Brazil on Sunday, in which you would’ve then thought Sully’s gone on to SkyScanner to find the cheapest flight for Paqman, must’ve been a lot of flight stops!
Fortunately, the deal is finalised and 99% complete.
The club have also published a statement upon Paqueta’s departure, in which part of it saw the Hammers send a damming message towards the fans: “Despite the Club doing everything possible to persuade Lucas to stay, he has remained adamant that his wish is to leave. Therefore, the Head Coach and the Club have reluctantly agreed to accept his transfer request.”
This would go hand in hand with the fact that Nuno initially expected to retain Lucas Paqueta, and it must’ve come as a shock once he was told that he had to sell the Brazilian, in which there’s been no replacement in sight since. It looks unlikely that any signings of a midfielder will happen before now and the end of the window, with the primary goal being a central defender, but whether that’s on a permanent or a loan deal is the question to ponder upon.
Many won’t forget Lucas Paqueta’s first season at West Ham, but it’s crucial to remember that he’s not even half the player he used to be. Some will be upset at the fact he’s ’forced a move’, but the truth is, he was simply just a man who was torn limb from limb via the FA, and that has resulted in the demise of his career.
Thankfully, the situation didn’t turn ugly at any given moment, it was simply a case of tough negotiations. West Ham squeezed out any ounce of a fee we could get, and Paqueta has ended up happy. A win-win on the books, but whether that money will be reinvested remains unknown. - LN
Comments
We need get a penalty taker
We need to get a penalty taker sorted then,now hes gone,as Bowens take on Saturday,didnt give me much confidence,he slipped and was lucky that it went in between the keepers hand and the post.
Fernandez
For me. I wouldn't want to be a goalkeeper facing one of his shots. Bowen just didn't look confident at all
Well, he's gone, thank god
Well, he's gone, thank god the saga ends. Three wins on the bounce without him. Says it all really. The Fred Canos circus that is Dildo Daves train set. Is big enough, without a Brazilian ringmaster chucking his sideshow in for good measure.
By the way, anybody got diddys phone number? Need a shed load of baby oil delivered double rapid.....Taxi!
£40/50 Million
Lost on the sale if compared to when City were in the frame. So why haven't West Ham and Paqueta sued the FA for the respective reasons?
And while we're on the subject of the FA. Whats happened to all the charges against Man City
PS. Just like to add that I wish Lucas Paqueta all the best. He did it for his own sanity and not ( like certain North London deserters) for money