Lucas Paquetá is set to remain with West Ham United for the rest of the season, despite advancing transfer talks with Brazilian club Flamengo. Sources tell ESPN that while the 28-year-old midfielder wants a January return to his boyhood club, the two teams are struggling to agree on a fee, making a mid-season move unlikely.

West Ham are demanding £50 million for the Brazilian international, but Flamengo's offer is closer to £35 million. The London club is reportedly willing to accept that lower fee, but only if the transfer is postponed until July. Coach Nuno Espírito Santo is against losing Paquetá now, viewing him as an undisputed starter crucial to their relegation fight.

Paquetá, who joined West Ham in 2022, has 18 months left on his contract. He has already agreed personal terms with Flamengo for a four-year deal. With West Ham sitting 18th in the Premier League table, the club's priority is securing survival, which makes retaining their key assets this month a non-negotiable strategy.