{"id":393167,"date":"2026-01-27T13:08:11","date_gmt":"2026-01-27T13:08:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/393167\/"},"modified":"2026-01-27T13:08:11","modified_gmt":"2026-01-27T13:08:11","slug":"west-ham-chief-david-sullivan-has-last-laugh-on-lucas-paqueta-deal-as-flight-booked","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/393167\/","title":{"rendered":"West Ham chief David Sullivan has last laugh on Lucas Paqueta deal as ‘flight booked’"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

West Ham chief David Sullivan appears to have had the last laugh on the Lucas Paqueta deal as the payment terms were revealed amid claims his flight to Brazil has now been booked. <\/p>\n

After weeks of tension, public posturing and brinkmanship, the latest development suggests the balance of power in the Lucas Paqueta<\/a> saga has shifted decisively in West Ham\u2019s favour.<\/p>\n

It is fair to say neither David Sullivan<\/a> nor Paqueta are the most popular figures among West Ham<\/a> fans right now.<\/p>\n

But it seems Sullivan\u2019s hardline stance has claimed a victory of sorts after the Hammers were left in the very difficult bargaining position of being forced to negotiate for an unhappy player who only wanted to leave for one destination \u2013 his boyhood club Flamengo.<\/p>\n

There has been claim and counterclaim made about what stage the Paqueta saga is at.<\/p>\n

Sullivan has last laugh on Paqueta deal as \u2018flight booked\u2019<\/p>\n

On Monday, Flamengo\u2019s president claimed a deal with West Ham for Paqueta was imminent<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Luiz Eduardo Baptista broke his silence on the talks with the Hammers when revealing the deal was close.<\/p>\n

How many points would West Ham have taken from their last two games if Lucas Paqueta had been playing? \ud83e\udd14 <\/p>\n

Maybe I\u2019m harsh, but I just don\u2019t think he suits this team anymore\u2026<\/p>\n

\"LucasPhoto by Ben STANSALL \/ AFP via Getty Images <\/p>\n

\ud83d\udc47 Join the debate; share your insight. Use the comment button on the bottom left to have your say <\/p>\n

And he went on the record to reassure Sullivan that West Ham have his word that Flamengo will honour any payment structure agreed.<\/p>\n

Flamengo\u2019s initial offer for Paqueta amounted to around \u00a332m including performance-related add-ons.<\/p>\n

\"LucasPhoto by Marc Atkins\/Getty Images<\/p>\n

With the player pleading with Nuno Espirito Santo to let him leave despite the club battling relegation, West Ham were put in a very awkward position.<\/p>\n

Sullivan and the Hammers board have had a poor reputation when it comes to getting good value from sales in recent years.<\/p>\n

But the club have stood firm in the face of Paqueta\u2019s demands and Flamengo\u2019s persistence.<\/p>\n

Sullivan has been demanding the Paqueta fee be paid in as few instalments as possible.<\/p>\n

The Hammers\u2019 majority owner<\/a> did the same thing when selling Mohammed Kudus to Spurs.<\/p>\n

West Ham\u2019s hardline stance on Paqueta pays off \u2013 literally<\/p>\n

Usually a transfer fee is paid in equal annual chunks over the course of the contract the player signs with the new team \u2013 but West Ham insisted Spurs must pay the \u00a354.5m for Kudus in three instalments.<\/p>\n

Sources in Brazil and England have been tripping over themselves to lay claim to an agreement being sealed.<\/p>\n

Comment on where you now think West Ham will finish in the Premier League \ud83d\udc47 <\/p>\n

We are staying up \ud83c\udfb5<\/p>\n

\"ACredit: Getty Images\/Rob Newell \u2013 CameraSport <\/p>\n

\ud83d\udc47 Join the debate; share your insight. Use the comment button on the bottom left to have your say <\/p>\n

But West Ham chief Sullivan has had the last laugh on the Paqueta deal as his \u2018flight is booked\u2019.<\/p>\n

It seems today is the day the Paqueta saga finally moves towards its conclusion.<\/p>\n

\"LucasPhoto by Dan Istitene\/Getty Images<\/p>\n

On Monday night, Sullivan confidant Sean Whetstone revealed his club sources poured cold water on Brazilian media claims that a deal was done between West Ham and Flamengo. <\/p>\n

\u201cThese reports are totally wrong, they are miles out, it\u2019s hilarious,\u201d the sources told Hammers insider Whetstone.<\/p>\n

Transfer sources have poured cold water on Brazilian media claims that a deal will be concluded in the next 24 hours between West Ham and Flamengo.<\/p>\n

Responding to reports about fee and that payment terms are the only hurdle plus Lucas Paqueta could fly out to Brazil as early as\u2026 pic.twitter.com\/wEXAlY8YnP<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 West Ham Football (@westhamfootball) January 26, 2026<\/a> <\/p>\n

View Tweet<\/p>\n

If that was brinkmanship from Sullivan and the West Ham board, it certainly worked.<\/p>\n

Because now it is being reported across Brazil that not only have Flamengo finally given in to Sullivan\u2019s valuation and payment terms, but the deal is now so close Paqueta could make his second Black and Red debut this weekend.<\/p>\n

Globo reporter Cahe Mota<\/a> has claimed an agreement has now been reached over payments for the signing of Paqueta with the \u00a338m payable in two instalments over 24 months. <\/p>\n

Flamengo agree full payment in two years as Paqueta debut eyed<\/p>\n

Mota says that was the only remaining hurdle in the deal, which is now believed to be imminent.<\/p>\n

Monica Alves, a reporter for Coluna do Fla \u2013 Flamengo\u2019s biggest website \u2013 has gone one further.<\/p>\n

She states that \u2018Paqueta is very close to being announced as Flamengo\u2019s new signing\u2019.<\/p>\n

In fact she reports West Ham\u2019s \u00a351m record signing is scheduled to arrive in Rio de Janeiro this Thursday night as Flamengo \u2018race against time\u2019 to get the contract signed so Paqueta can be available for the club\u2019s Brazil Super Cup showdown with Corinthians on Sunday.<\/p>\n

Muito pr\u00f3ximo de ser anunciado como novo refor\u00e7o do Flamengo, Lucas Paquet\u00e1 tem chegada prevista ao Rio de Janeiro na noite de quinta-feira (29).<\/p>\n

Com isso, o meio campista corre contra o tempo para assinar contrato e ficar \u00e0 disposi\u00e7\u00e3o do Rubro-Negro para a disputa da Supercopa\u2026 pic.twitter.com\/bgnEaQYCR0<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 M\u00f4nica Alves (@monicaalvesfs) January 27, 2026<\/a> <\/p>\n

View Tweet<\/p>\n

With the Paqueta money coming in, West Ham could be in for a busy final week of the January transfer window.<\/p>\n

Attentions have turned to bolstering the defence with Chelsea dropping a major hint a West Ham deal is on the cards<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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