Superstar Vinícius Júnior has leaked Lucas Paquetá’s imminent West Ham exit on live TV after starring in Real Madrid’s Champions League win.
Wantaway West Ham ace Lucas Paqueta has been pushing to leave the club for a return to boyhood club Flamengo in Brazil.
Reports claimed West Ham’s £38m Paqueta sale was ‘ready to be sealed in black and white’ earlier this week.
Things had gone somewhat quiet since, until now.
Paqueta is best friends with Real Madrid star Vinícius Júnior.
Vinicius Junior leaks Lucas Paqueta’s imminent West Ham exit
When the Hammers playmaker was recovering from injury back in 2024 he stayed at Vini Jr’s house to use his facilities for rehabilitation.
The duo have been best friends since childhood, when they came through the Flamengo ranks together before making it in the first team.
If you could only keep ONE of these two players in January – who would it be?!
A split image showing Callum Wilson playing for West Ham and Lucas Paqueta playing for West Ham.
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Now Paqueta is pushing to return to the Brazilian giants, causing much controversy as he leaves West Ham in the midst of the club’s battle against relegation.
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Paqueta has been accused of ‘lies’ and ‘playing games’ by West Ham’s board after he missed the last two games citing a back injury.
Lucas Paqueta scores during Nottingham Forest v West Ham United - Premier League
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The writing has been on the wall over Paqueta’s future since then, but the Hammers are refusing to sell their record £51m signing on the cheap.
Nuno Espirito Santo’s side breathed new life into their battle to survive with a 2-1 win at bitter rivals Spurs at the weekend.
It was notable that the Irons pulled off such a vital and hard fought win without Paqueta.
Negotiations have been continuing in the background to agree a fee with Flamengo.
Especially since Nuno asked David Sullivan to let Paqueta leave West Ham after holding a meeting with the midfielder.
Vini Jr lets cat out of the bag over best friend Paqueta on live TV
Now there appears to have been a huge development – according to one of the most famous players on the planet.
Because Vinicius Junior has leaked Paqueta’s imminent West Ham exit after starring in Real Madrid’s Champions League win.
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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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Vini Jr’s comments came in the aftermath of Real Madrid’s 6-1 win over Monaco, in which he was named man of the match.
Paqueta’s Brazil teammate has fuelled speculation that developments behind the scenes are further advanced than previously believed, adding a dramatic new layer to the situation.
Lucas Paqueta and Vinicius Junior dance while playing for Brazil together
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As well as being best friends, Paqueta and Vini Jr also share the same agents, Roc Nation.
Speaking to TNT Sports Brazil after dismantling Monaco, Vinicius Junior said he is in daily contact with the agents asking when the Paqueta deal is going to happen.
And in doing so he revealed he hopes and believes it is close, confirming Paqueta’s desire to rejoin Flamengo and suggesting it is a move that the West Ham star, himself and Flamengo want.
Vini Jr: ‘God willing, in the next few days’ Paqueta leaves West Ham’
“I ask my agents, who are also his agents, every day (when Paqueta is leaving West Ham for Flamengo),” Vini Jr said.
“His happiness is mine, and Flamengo’s happiness is ours.
“God willing, in the next few days he could close this deal.”
⚠️ Vini Jr sobre Paquetá no Flamengo:
“Pergunto todo dia aos meus empresários, que são empresários dele. A felicidade dele é a minha, e a felicidade do Flamengo é a nossa. Se Deus quiser, nos próximos dias ele pode fechar esse contrato.”
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So there you have it West Ham fans, the deal appears very close indeed according to one of the most recognised names in all of sport.
Debate has raged among West Ham fans over the best course of action with Paqueta.
Some believe the Hammers should force him to stay and help the team, especially after the club stood by him and his family during the two-year spot-fixing allegations ordeal.
Others believe the team is better off without him, particularly in light of his wish to now leave when West Ham need him most.
Bringing in funds to help pay for signings who want to be at West Ham and fight to keep the club in the Premier League seems the most logical course of action.
Now that seems a step closer if Vini Jr’s revelation is accurate. And let’s face it, if anyone knows what is going on with the move it will be Paqueta’s best friend.
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