West Ham will sell Lucas Paqueta to Flamengo on one condition

West Ham United are willing to sell Lucas Paqueta in the winter transfer window, but will demand he stays with them until the end of the season. 

The Hammers turned down a £30.3 million bid from Flamengo for the 28-year-old. 

The Brazilian outfit are ready to raise their offer to about £35m for the experienced attacking midfielder, according to The Guardian. 

But Flamengo are not prepared to loan him back, as they can wait until the summer to buy him more cheaply. 

Paqueta is desperate to return to his homeland, having grown disillusioned with life in England after facing spot-fixing allegations. 

The former Lyon star was cleared of the charges last year but he is said to have been deeply affected by the case that cost him a move to Manchester City in 2023. 

Should West Ham sell Paqueta? 

Paqueta joined the Hammers for a £51m fee in the summer of 2022. 

Since arriving at the London Stadium, he has scored 23 goals and created 15 assists in 139 appearances across all competitions. 

But his form has suffered since the investigation by the Football Association (FA). 

Paqueta hit out at the FA for not providing him with psychological support after a red card against Liverpool earlier this season.  

West Ham are desperately fighting  to stay in the Premier League. 

They are currently seven points away from safety in 18th after a 10-game winless run. 

West Ham sacked Graham Potter in September, but Nuno Espirito Santo has also failed to revive their fortunes. 

Losing Paqueta would be a huge blow to their survival hopes, but keeping an unhappy player would also be risky. 

The Hammers have strengthened their attacking ranks by bringing in Pablo Felipe and Taty Castellanos in January. 

But they also need reinforcements in defence and selling Paqueta would boost their transfer budget. 

Stats from Transfermarkt