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Lucas Paqueta Feeling Positive After West Ham Exit Blocked
Lucas Paqueta is back in training with West Ham United amid massive uncertainty over his future.
And the unsettled Brazilian is resigned to staying put, at least for this month, despite interest from his first club, Flamengo.
Paqueta missed Sunday’s tense FA Cup win over Championship QPR because of a minor back issue and was not risked.
Paqueta Feeling Positive at West Ham
He had been forced off early from the previous game against Nottingham Forest. And he missed the entire 3-0 defeat by Wolves prior to that.
But the player was back in work on Monday having treatment even though West Ham had received a bid of around £30m from Flamengo for their playmaker.
The squad were back in on Wednesday after a day off and Paqueta was at the training ground, with sources close to the player saying he is positive about returning to the line-up in the next few days.
Paqueta is still keen to leave West Ham but has reported for duty as expected.
Nuno Santo Planning Key Paqueta Talks
Hammers boss Nuno Espirito Santo is planning talks with Paqueta, who played a key role in ending West Ham’s 43-year wait for a trophy with their UEFA Conference League triumph in 2023.
Nuno needs his talented South American to try to dig the club out of trouble with the Hammers seven points behind fourth from bottom Nottingham Forest in the Premier League.
It is expected a compromise can be reached with Paqueta staying put through January but with the possibility of moving back home in March, when the Brazilian transfer window closes.
And if West Ham are already doomed to relegation he is likely to be released early to get his £150,000-a-week wages off the payroll.
If Nuno fails to save the team from the drop, a host of top players will be on their way in the summer.
West Ham face a tough trip to rivals Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday, with Spurs linked with a move for Paqueta just a few weeks ago.
But it is hoped his back problem will have eased enough for him to play in the London derby.
Revealed: West Ham Players Set for Huge Pay Cut if They Get Relegated
West Ham currently sit in the bottom three of the Premier League table
