West Ham block €40m bid for star player as player pushes for January exit

Brazilian giants Flamengo have launched a stunning €40 million (£34.7m) bid for West Ham United playmaker Lucas Paquetá, igniting a high-stakes standoff in the January transfer window.

According to Sky Sports journalist Florian Plettenberg, a verbal agreement on personal terms between the 28-year-old and his boyhood club is already “done and confirmed,” leaving the final decision entirely in the hands of the Hammers’ board.

While Flamengo are pushing to finalise the deal with “immediate...