West Ham 'submit bid' for 24-year-old ex-Man City gem as transfer exit a done dealplaceholder image
West Ham 'submit bid' for 24-year-old ex-Man City gem as transfer exit a done deal | Getty Images
West Ham are looking to complete more transfer business before Monday's 7pm transfer deadline
It has been a busy month for West Ham United on the transfer front and more business could be done by the Hammers before Monday’s 7pm deadline.
Lucas Paqueta’s exit from the club has now been confirmed. A deal has been completed for the midfielder to move to Brazilian club Flamengo on a permanent transfer for an undisclosed fee.
Paqueta has been with the club since August 2022 and has scored 23 goals in 139 games for the Irons. It emerged earlier this month he was keen to leave West Ham and return home to Brazil.
The Hammers were reluctant to sell him but BBC Sport report a £35.5m transfer fee has been agreed. The Irons did push for a move to happen this summer with Paqueta staying at the club on loan until the end of the campaign.
However, Flamengo only wanted a permanent move, with Paqueta signing a contract until December 2030.
"For me, Lucas is a special player, a special person, he's a number 10," said West Ham boss Nuno Espirito Santo.
"I think everything could be different, but the circumstances are what they are.
"He wanted to go to Brazil, and you keep moving, knowing that he's special person and special player and we wish him all the best.”
Paqueta will retain a place in club history after providing the assist for Jarrod Bowen’s winning goal in the 2023 UEFA Europa Conference League final victory against Fiorentina in Prague.
In other news, Sky Sports News reports West Ham have made a bid for Southampton defender Taylor Harwood-Bellis.
The offer for the ex-Manchester City and Burnley man is ‘expected to be rejected’ as it has fallen ‘far short’ of Southampton’s valuation. BBC Sport report the defender is open to the move to the London Stadium.
He joined Southampton on loan in 2023 from Manchester City and helped the south coast club earn promotion to the Premier League. That triggered a permanent £20m move to the Saints.
Southampton have had a disappointing campaign following relegation. They sit 15th in the table after 29 games, with 37 points on the board.
Harwood-Bellis has been capped once by England, as he made his sole appearance for the Three Lions in November 2024.
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