West Ham’s season has been a rollercoaster of frustration and fleeting hope.
After a grim run that saw the Hammers slip to 18th in the Premier League and languish in the relegation zone, Sunday’s 2-1 FA Cup win over QPR offered a rare moment of relief.
Taty Castellanos scored his first goal for the club and Crysencio Summerville added a goal and an assist, suggesting that West Ham’s new January recruits might be able to inject some life into a faltering squad.
But just as the club looked to be building some momentum, reports have emerged that one of their most influential players could be plotting an exit.
Paqueta Open to Leaving
TalkSPORT reports that Lucas Paquetá is willing to move on during the winter transfer window.
The 28-year-old was left out of the squad for Sunday’s FA Cup tie against QPR, a sign that the midfielder may be considering his next move.
Sources indicate Paquetá is keen to return to Brazil, with Flamengo leading the chase for his signature.
While Premier League sides such as Tottenham Hotspur and Aston Villa have historically expressed interest, the former Lyon man appears to prefer a return to his homeland after three-and-a-half years in east London.
Manager Nuno Espirito Santo, however, is keen to retain Paquetá as part of his battle to stave off relegation. In his fourth season with West Ham, Paquetá has already matched his previous Premier League best by scoring four goals this term, alongside one assist from 19 appearances across all competitions.
Only skipper Jarrod Bowen has netted more for the Hammers in 2026 so far.
Once hailed as “terrific” by former West Ham manager David Moyes, Paquetá remains one of the club’s most dangerous attacking players, but his desire to move back to Brazil could significantly impact the Hammers’ plans during the January window.
