Pep Guardiola has spoken out on West Ham selling Lucas Paqueta to Flamengo, two-and-a-half years after Manchester City famously missed out on the Brazilian in an £85m deal.
Back in August 2023 West Ham had just sold Declan Rice to Arsenal for £105m when an £80m offer arrived from Manchester City for Lucas Paqueta.
Paqueta had played the pass which set up Jarrod Bowen to win West Ham’s only major trophy of the last 46 years.
The money on offer from Manchester City was too good for West Ham to turn down.
Especially for a player like Paqueta, who had the capacity to frustrate with his inconsistency as much as delight with his brilliance.
Collapsed deal was sliding doors moment for West Ham, Man City and Paqueta
Man City were days away from signing Paqueta, a move the player described as a ‘dream’.
However, that same week came a sliding doors moment for West Ham, Man City and Paqueta as the FA launched a spot-fixing investigation into the Brazilian that would last two years.
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Lucas Paqueta of West Ham United during the Premier League match between West Ham United and Nottingham Forest at London Stadium on January 6, 2026 in London, England.
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The investigation and subsequent trial, which found Paqueta had no case to answer in terms of spot-fixing, not only scuppered his £85m move from West Ham to Manchester City – but also Cole Palmer signing for the Hammers in the other direction.
Man City boss Pep Guardiola was in the midst of a midfield rebuild in the time that passed while Paqueta was under investigation, meaning that ship sailed for all parties by the time he was admonished last summer.
Lucas Paqueta claps the fans during West Ham's game against Burnley.
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Now after a three-week saga, West Ham have reluctantly sold Paqueta to his boyhood club Flamengo in a deal worth less than half that Man City agreement at £38m.
West Ham aimed a dig at the FA and Paqueta after the move was confirmed on Wednesday.
The player himself also took aim at the FA for destroying his mental health and leaving him ‘scarred’ and unbearably homesick.
Not only did the FA ordeal deny the 28-year-old that move to Manchester City, Paqueta said the only way he can enjoy football again was to return to Brazil.
Guardiola speaks out on West Ham selling Paqueta
The Hammers have insisted they did everything to persuade Paqueta to stay and help the club’s battle against relegation.
But it proved futile and Paqueta said his desire to leave had nothing to do with West Ham’s position in the table.
West Ham did all they could but Lucas Paqueta STILL wanted out! 😡
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A graphic showing West Ham's statement on selling Lucas Paqueta.
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Paqueta has been a shadow of his former self since that move to Man City collapsed, registering one assist in 55 Premier League games.
Many feel Man City dodged a bullet, others that Paqueta would have excelled under Guardiola in a team full of top quality players in every position.
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So what does the Spaniard think about the move?
Now Guardiola has spoken out on West Ham selling Paqueta after Man City famously missed out.
The comments revisit one of the most talked-about near-misses in recent Premier League history.
And Guardiola says he is happy for the player to be leaving the Hammers to return home while giving his appraisal of Paqueta as a player and person.
Guardiola happy to see ‘fantastic’ Paqueta return home
“He’s very good at protecting the ball, he scores goals and has personality,” Guardiola told TNT Sports Brazil.
“He’s a fantastic player.
“I’m happy he’s back in Brazil to be with his people.”
Pep Guardiola sobre Lucas Paquetá:
“Ele é muito bom para proteger a bola, tem gol, tem personalidade… É um jogador fantástico. Fico feliz que ele tenha decidido voltar ao Brasil e estar com a sua gente. Desejo a ele tudo de melhor.”
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— FlaConect (@flaconect2) January 29, 2026
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Paqueta has pleaded for forgiveness from West Ham fans who may be unhappy he is jumping ship when the club needs him most – especially after they stood by him steadfastly during his spot-fixing case ordeal.
The midfielder even stated he turned down moves to rival clubs – believed to be Spurs and Chelsea – as he only wanted to go back to Brazil.
It is worth remembering that West Ham – and a large section of the fanbase – were more than happy to sell Paqueta when the money was there on the table from Man City.
So there is an argument the club cannot have it both ways.
Now it will be interesting to see whether Nuno Espirito Santo will be given the Paqueta funds to spend in order to help keep West Ham in the Premier League.
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