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Lucas Paqueta will not feature in West Ham United’s home game against Sunderland on Saturday, Nuno Espirito Santo has said.
The 28-year-old playmaker asked not to play in West Ham’s FA Cup third-round game against Queens Park Rangers and missed the 2-1 victory over rivals Tottenham Hotspur with a back injury.
Paqueta’s long-term future remains uncertain after West Ham rejected a bid in the region of €35m (£30.3m; $40.9m) from Brazilian club Flamengo.
The Brazil international, who joined West Ham from French club Lyon in August 2022 for an initial €43m plus €17m in potential bonuses, is keen to return to his boyhood club.
Paqueta scored 18 goals across 95 appearances for Flamengo from 2016 through to 2019. In the summer of 2024, the Brazilian club made an unsatisfactory offer to sign Paqueta that West Ham sources described as “laughable”.
Speaking at his pre-match press conference on Thursday, Nuno admitted he is unsure when Paqueta will return to action.
“The situation is the same as last week,” he said. “We hope the club and Lucas can find a solution.
“He won’t be in the squad for the game against Sunderland this weekend. We have to assess his injury day by day.
“All the things that have happened in the past have created problems. Now that’s finished, I hope we all can find a solution.
“He came off against Nottingham Forest with a big back spasm. I think he’s improving and getting better day by day, but we’ll have to keep assessing him.”
Paqueta has made 19 appearances in all competitions this season, scoring five goals and providing one assist.
Following West Ham’s 2-1 victory over Spurs, Nuno’s side remain in the relegation zone and are five points from safety.