Lucas Paqueta opens up on Man City heartbreak and reveals final transfer wish

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Lucas Paqueta has revealed he needed “psychological support” after his transfer to Manchester City collapsed at the last minute when he was charged with spot fixing. “I lost a leap in my career," he claimed.

And the West Ham star admitted he has twice been in talks with Flamengo about returning to Brazil, including this summer, and he will go back to his old club. Paqueta had been poised to sign for Manchester City for £80m in August 2023 after a superb first season in the Premier League .

But the deal fell through when he was investigated by the FA for deliberately getting booked in four matches to allow friends and family to bet on his yellow cards.

The Hammers playmaker was eventually cleared of the main charges in July this year and he scored four goals in four games at the start of this season, including on his international return with Brazil.

But before Saturday’s friendly international at the Emirates Stadium against Senegal, Paqueta has opened up on the damaging impact of the allegations on his life and career.

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"Everyone knows that I really had a transfer to City,” he told Brazilian TV station GE. “I probably would have signed the week I received the letter (from the FA). Professionally speaking, I lost that, that transfer, a leap in my career.

"Psychologically, I think that's where I was most affected, by the fear of this indecision, the uncertainty of my future, despite knowing who I am, what I do, what I've done. But, due to the circumstances of the investigations and the way the federation handled everything, it generated fear in us.

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"Psychologically, it was difficult for me. I had psychological support to deal with all of this, with some of the problems. I'm happy, much lighter, since my victory. That fear is behind me. What they said would be three months lasted two years, and I was able to prove my innocence, win this case, and be able to do what I love normally.

“I'm happy it ended the way it did; I fought hard against it, and it's very difficult not being able to tell your side of the story. I can tell everyone my side of the story in more detail. I'm very happy to be able to return to the Brazilian national team, as I did at the Maracanã, with a goal, to regain my place and fight for a spot in the World Cup."

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The former AC Milan and Lyon star, 28, is under contract with West Ham until 2027 but he first spoke about a return home in May 2024 and this summer

“The second moment, incredibly enough, was when I already knew I could continue playing normally,” said the £50m signing. “That's when I felt even more of a desire to return to Flamengo. Maybe I shouldn't even be saying this, but I had some conversations with (Flamengo head coach) Filipe (Luís), who is a friend. I really expressed my desire to return and also showed it to my agents.

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"It was a difficult decision because I'm 28 years old, it's very young, and I still have a lot of market value outside of here. I've been doing my job well, but it was a very strong desire. And I tried very hard, but unfortunately, once again, I decided to respect my club, not to force anything, because it's a club that supported me and that I have enormous affection for. So I let it happen, and it really didn't. I understood that it wasn't the right time, but I know the doors will always be open for me. I know that at some point this return will happen.”

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