Nuno Espírito Santo responds to Lucas Paquetá exit talk as West Ham face January dilemma

Nuno Espírito Santo has played down speculation surrounding Lucas Paquetá amid reports the West Ham midfielder is pushing for a January exit.

Paquetá’s future at West Ham United has become a growing talking point after a difficult run of form and fresh claims that the Brazilian wants to leave east London this month.

The 28-year-old was notably absent from West Ham’s squad for their FA Cup third-round victory over Queens Park Rangers, a decision that only fuelled speculation about his immediate future.

According to talkSPORT, Paquetá is keen on a return to Brazil, with Flamengo emerging as a potential destination. While there has also been historic interest from Tottenham Hotspur and Aston Villa, the midfielder is understood to favour a move back to his homeland.

Despite the rumours, Nuno is reluctant to lose one of his most gifted players midway through a season that has become increasingly precarious.

West Ham find themselves dragged into a relegation fight, currently sitting seven points adrift of Nottingham Forest in 17th place.

With survival the priority, Nuno believes allowing Paquetá to depart in January would significantly weaken his options.

The West Ham boss is understood to want the Brazilian to remain at the club beyond the transfer window, even acknowledging that Paquetá has struggled for consistency and discipline in recent weeks.

His red card against Liverpool on 30 November — after arguing with the referee and receiving two quick yellow cards — epitomised a frustrating spell that has seen his influence wane.

Paquetá’s time in east London has been anything but forgettable. Since arriving from Olympique Lyonnais in 2022, he has delivered moments of genuine quality and versatility across midfield.

Most notably, he played a central role in West Ham’s historic Europa Conference League triumph in 2023, registering five goal contributions across 11 appearances during the campaign.

Across all competitions, Paquetá has delivered 26 goal contributions in 110 appearances for the Hammers, operating in a variety of central and advanced midfield roles.

However, the timing of a potential exit risks souring his legacy. With West Ham battling to retain their Premier League status, supporters may view a January departure as abandonment at a critical moment.

Nuno faces a delicate balancing act. Keeping Paquetá offers technical quality few others in the squad can match, but losing a player keen to leave could also destabilise the dressing room.

Finding a like-for-like replacement in January would be extremely difficult, both financially and tactically, making the coming weeks pivotal for West Ham’s season.

Whether Paquetá stays or goes, his situation could prove one of the most defining storylines of the Hammers’ campaign.

Should West Ham block Lucas Paquetá’s January exit, or cash in to protect the club’s long-term future?