Lucas Paquetá tells West Ham he plans to leave as transfer standoff fears grow

West Ham United are bracing themselves for a potentially damaging transfer standoff after Lucas Paquetá made his intentions clear amid growing relegation fears at the London Stadium.

The situation escalated this week after Brazilian side Flamengo submitted a £30.3m bid for the midfielder. West Ham’s official stance remains that Paquetá is not for sale in January, but internal concerns suggest the club may soon be forced into a reluctant rethink.

According to talkSPORT journalist Alex Crook, there is genuine anxiety inside West Ham that Paquetá could attempt to force a move by refusing to play.

Speaking live on air, Crook revealed that fears of a player-led standoff are growing.

“It’s been suggested to me this morning that people at West Ham fear that Lucas Paquetá could go on strike to try and force the move,” Crook said.

West Ham find themselves deep in a Premier League relegation battle, and questions have increasingly been raised about Paquetá’s commitment during a difficult campaign.

Head coach Nuno Espírito Santo is understood to be keen to retain Paquetá, viewing him as one of the few players capable of providing creativity and control during the run-in.

However, the financial reality may soon override sporting considerations. Club chairman David Sullivan is facing a dilemma: hold firm and risk dressing-room disruption, or cash in and reinvest during a critical window.

West Ham have already added attacking options in Taty Castellanos and Pablo, but there remains a clear lack of creativity behind the forwards — a gap Paquetá has traditionally filled.

The most significant development is what Paquetá has communicated privately. Crook reports that the Brazilian has told Sullivan he does not expect to still be contracted to West Ham by the start of next season, regardless of whether the club avoid relegation.

As a result, Paquetá is now expected to miss this weekend’s crucial Premier League clash against Tottenham Hotspur, a decision that would further underline the breakdown in relations.

The midfielder’s fear of being dragged into a relegation — or potential Championship — campaign is believed to be central to his stance.

From West Ham’s perspective, the financial upside of a sale is clear. Accepting Flamengo’s offer would provide immediate funds to strengthen the squad in multiple areas, easing pressure on Nuno during a decisive phase of the season.

However, the longer the situation drags on, the greater the risk of destabilising the squad — particularly if Paquetá’s absence becomes prolonged.

All eyes now turn to whether West Ham hold their nerve or sanction a January exit. With the Tottenham fixture looming and relegation pressure intensifying, clarity is required quickly. A drawn-out dispute would only compound problems for a side already struggling for consistency and confidence.

Should West Ham cash in on Lucas Paquetá now — or stand firm and risk a damaging standoff in a relegation battle?