[West Ham](https://westhamworld.co.uk/tag/west-ham/)’s January transfer window has been a rollercoaster, with the biggest talking point being the departure of Lucas Paquetá.
The Brazilian midfielder, arguably the club’s standout player this season with five goals, has returned to his boyhood club Flamengo in a deal reportedly worth over £35 million.
While fans have voiced disappointment over losing such a key contributor in the middle of a relegation fight, one voice has offered a surprisingly sympathetic perspective.
In a recent interview, West Ham captain Jarrod Bowen opened up on Paquetá’s exit, highlighting the personal struggles behind the headlines.
**Bowen: “Lucas Went Through Hell”**
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Paquetá’s decision to leave the Hammers mid-season has been controversial, especially considering the team’s precarious position in the Premier League.
Supporters had backed him through a tumultuous two-year spell, including the spot-fixing allegations from 2023 that were eventually dropped, which had previously blocked a potential move to Manchester City.
Despite the circumstances, Bowen shared a different view of the Brazilian’s departure. He described Paquetá as more than just a teammate and emphasized the resilience he showed during his time at West Ham.
“Lucas went through hell over the last two years and came back,” [Bowen told ESPN Brasil.](https://www.espn.com.br/futebol/flamengo/artigo/_/id/16253826/ex-companheiro-paqueta-west-ham-analisa-transferencia-flamengo-revela-papo-com-meia)
“And for me, he wasn’t just a teammate, but also a friend, because we shared the field for many years. I think, in the end, he wanted to come home. And that says a lot about him as a person.
“He just wanted to play with a smile on his face.
“And when he came in the other day, I spoke to him for five minutes and said, ‘come back and play with that smile back on your face, because that’s the Lucas everyone loves to see’.
“Of course, you never want to lose a teammate like him, with the added bonus of being a friend, but I wish him all the best and hope to see him again with that smile that makes him so special on the pitch.”
Paquetá’s exit may leave a void on the field for West Ham, but Bowen’s comments offer a rare insight into the human side of transfers, showing admiration for the Brazilian’s character even as the club bids farewell to one of its brightest talents.