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The Lucas Paqueta Saga: Will He Feature for West Ham Against Spurs This Weekend?

West Ham manager Nuno Espirito Santo provides an update on Lucas Paqueta's status amidst rumors of a move back to Flamengo. Learn about Paqueta's journey, from facing spot-fixing charges to contemplating a return to his native Brazil.

The Lucas Paqueta Saga: Will He Feature for West Ham Against Spurs This Weekend?

West Ham boss Nuno Espirito Santo has issued an update on wantaway midfielder Lucas Paqueta's future amid links with Flamengo. The Brazilian reportedly asked not to be selected for West Ham's FA Cup win over Queens Park Rangers last weekend in light of reports he is 'disillusioned' in east London. Ahead of their clash with Tottenham, manager Nuno has spoken about the player's situation.Nearly two years on from the Football Association launching an investigation against Paqueta, the West Ham star was cleared of spot-fixing charges by an independent regulatory commission last July. The 28-year-old was facing the prospect of a lifetime ban if found guilty but much to his relief, he was allowed to carry on playing. In a statement, he maintained his innocence and thanked the Hammers and the club's fans for their support."Since the first day of this investigation, I have maintained my innocence against these extremely serious accusations," said Paqueta. "I can't say anything more at this time, but I would like to express how grateful I am to God and how eager I am to return to playing football with a smile on my face. To my wife who never let go of my hand, to West Ham United, to the fans who always cheered me on, and to my family, friends and the legal team who have supported me - thank you for everything."Last October, amid Paqueta's struggles for form and consistency, he was linked with a return to his native Brazil, specifically Flamengo. A month later, he admitted that the pull from his home country was strong and that the process of the lengthy investigation had taken its toll on him.He said in November, "The first moment (Flamengo tried to sign Paqueta) was when (Marcos) Braz was still at Flamengo (as vice president), there was that contact. I know of Flamengo's desire, and they know of my desire, my passion for the club, so it's something that always happens. As soon as I was accused, and the whole trial process was about to begin, Braz came to my house, made the offer, and asked what I thought. Obviously, I always want to go back to Flamengo, but at that moment, I was still a bit undecided about my decision, about what I was going to do. Then I also talked to the West Ham director and said: 'Braz, I want to go back, I know I'll feel good at Flamengo, but I can't be ungrateful to the club that's supporting me so much. They supported me a lot at all times, helped me in various situations, so I couldn't force an exit from a place where I was being welcomed and respected. They respected me, my wife, my family. So I said: 'I want you to resolve this.' But yes, this exchange with Flamengo did happen."Paqueta added that while a move to Flamengo was tempting, he felt compelled to stay at West Ham off the back of how they helped him during the investigation. "Maybe I shouldn't even be saying this, but I had some conversations with Filipe (Luís), who is a friend, in addition to the work he's doing at Flamengo," he said. “I really expressed my desire to return and also showed it to my agents. It was a difficult decision because I'm 28 years old, it's very young, and I still have a lot of market value outside of here. I've been doing my job well, but it was a very strong desire. And I tried very hard, but unfortunately, once again, I decided to respect my club, not to force anything, because it's a club that supported me, that I have enormous affection for. So I let it happen, and it really didn't. I understood that it wasn't the right time, but I know the doors will always be open for me. I know that at some point this return will happen."Days after Paqueta reportedly asked to sit out West Ham's win over QPR, Nuno has delivered a team news update on the playmaker and some of his West Ham team-mates as they prepare to take on Tottenham this weekend. When asked about the former Flamengo player's future, he replied: "All of them are recovering. All of them are recovering with different things. Konstantinos [Mavropanos] has had a neck issue that has taken some time and is still painful. Matheus [Fernandes] is back doing individual sessions, and Luca [Paqueta] is still on treatment, so let's see. We still have a couple of days."Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reportingIt remains to be seen if Paqueta, who is said to want a break from England, will be fit to face rivals Tottenham in the Premier League on Saturday at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium or if he will have to wait for Sunderland's trip to London Stadium a week later. It is also up in the air if the Brazil international has played his last game for West Ham and if a Flamengo return will happen.

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The Rollercoaster Ride of Lucas Paqueta

Lucas Paqueta's career at West Ham has been anything but smooth sailing. From facing serious spot-fixing accusations to experiencing a wavering sense of allegiance between his current club and his former team Flamengo, the Brazilian midfielder has been through a whirlwind of emotions and decisions.

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A Turbulent Past and Uncertain Future

The cloud of spot-fixing allegations loomed over Paqueta for almost two years before he was finally cleared by an independent regulatory commission. While he expressed gratitude towards West Ham for their unwavering support, the pull of his homeland and former club Flamengo remains strong.

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The Temptation of Flamengo

Despite the allure of returning to Flamengo, Paqueta struggled with conflicting emotions due to the loyalty he felt towards West Ham. Acknowledging that the doors to Flamengo will always be open for him, the 28-year-old faced a tough decision regarding his future.

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Nuno Espirito Santo's Update

As West Ham gears up to face Tottenham, manager Nuno Espirito Santo has shed light on Paqueta's condition. The midfielder is still undergoing treatment, hinting at the uncertainty surrounding his availability for the upcoming matches.

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The Dilemma of Selection

With speculations rife about Paqueta's desire for a break from English football and a potential move to Flamengo, the question remains whether he will feature in the clash against Tottenham or if his future at West Ham hangs in the balance.

Published on Jan 15, 2026