Sky: Paqueta sets to leave West Ham; Back to Brazil might get him a WC place

Lucas Paqueta is leaving West Ham. Back to Brazil would be his first choice so far.

South American football expert Tim Vickery on Sky Sports:

"Flamengo can afford Lucas Paqueta. Flamengo don't want to go above £40m, West Ham's price, it seems, is £50m.

"Flamengo are huge, probably the biggest club outside of Europe. The Club World Cup is huge over here, it gave them a lot of money and ambition.

"They're champions of Brazil, champions of South America, but it's not enough. They want world domination.

"Flamengo is where Pacqueta started. In the short-term, remember the World Cup; this is why a lot of South American players are looking to reposition themselves. 

"Paqueta is clearly part of Ancelotti's Brazil squad, he might be in the team, it depends how they line up. If there's a third man in the heat in midfield, it could be Paqueta. 

"His big rival, Gerson, made an unwise move to Russia and has just come back. That raises his profile.

"Before the betting scandal broke, it looked like Man City were going to get Paqueta. That ship has sailed. If he can't get the absolute top drawer, why not go back to Flamengo?

"In the short-term, he's repositioning himself in the World Cup squad, in the long-term, he's part of a club with huge ambitions."