Report: West Ham United reject £32m bid for midfielder

West Ham Dig In Over Paqueta as Relegation Reality Bites

West Ham United’s refusal to sanction Lucas Paqueta’s proposed return to Brazil has become a defining moment in a tense January. As reported by The Athletic, Flamengo’s latest offer of €38million plus €4m in add-ons has been rejected, following an earlier bid of around €35m that was also turned down earlier this month. The message from east London is clear, survival comes before balance sheets.

Paqueta remains one of West Ham’s most technically gifted players, and even amid inconsistency, his influence on matches is rarely in doubt. With the club sitting in the relegation zone and five points from safety, the timing of Flamengo’s renewed interest feels both predictable and problematic.

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Relegation fight reshapes West Ham stance

Flamengo may be keen to bring the 28-year-old home, but West Ham are reluctant sellers. Their valuation of €60m reflects both market reality and desperation. Selling Paqueta now would leave a creative vacuum at precisely the wrong moment.

As the report notes, “While Flamengo are keen to sign the 28-year-old in this window, the London side are reluctant to let him leave as they fight to avoid relegation and are looking for a fee of €60m.” That stance underlines how precarious West Ham’s position has become.

Paqueta’s recent absence only adds to the uncertainty. He “asked not to play in West Ham’s FA Cup third-round game against Queens Park Rangers on January 11” and also missed the “2-1 victory over rivals Tottenham Hotspur on January 17 with a back injury.”

Nuno Espirito Santo and selection uncertainty

Head coach Nuno Espirito Santo confirmed that Paqueta will not feature against Sunderland, another significant fixture in the survival battle. With the Brazil international unavailable, West Ham are forced to reshuffle once more, leaning on younger options and short-term solutions.

Squad depth tested as Scarles steps up

Ollie Scarles has been one of those asked to step forward. With El Hadji Malick Diouf away at AFCON, Scarles “has started six of West Ham’s last seven games in all competitions.” It is a notable workload for a player still establishing himself, and it highlights how thin West Ham’s margin for error has become.

Long-term contract, short-term pressure

Paqueta remains under contract until June 2027 and has made 19 appearances this season, scoring five goals and providing one assist. His past links to Aston Villa and Manchester City underline his standing, even after the FA investigation that once clouded his future, an issue he was cleared of in 2025.

For now, West Ham’s priority is simple. Keep their best players, grind out points, and hope that holding firm in the transfer market proves to be the difference between survival and a painful reckoning.

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From a fan perspective, this situation feels equal parts tense and exhausting. There is excitement in seeing the club finally stand firm on a big-name player, but also deep concern about what it says about where West Ham are right now. Being in the relegation zone while fending off bids for your most creative midfielder is not a position of strength, it is a sign of a season drifting in the wrong direction.

Supporters will look at Paqueta’s absence and worry about mixed messages. If he is injured, fine, but asking not to play and then being left out again raises uncomfortable questions about commitment and dressing room mood. Fans want clarity, not constant speculation.

There is scepticism too about the €60m valuation. On paper it sounds ambitious, but in January, with West Ham under pressure, buyers know the leverage sits elsewhere. If Flamengo return with something closer to that figure, the temptation will be huge, and supporters fear a late-window scramble that leaves the squad weaker.

At the same time, there is pride in seeing younger players like Ollie Scarles stepping up. That brings hope, but also anxiety, because survival battles are rarely kind to inexperience.

Ultimately, fans will judge this window on results, not rhetoric. If Paqueta stays and West Ham climb clear, this will be framed as a brave stand. If results continue to slide, supporters will look back and wonder whether holding out for a higher fee was a gamble too far.