Lucas Paqueta keen on return to boyhood club Flamengo but transfer could scupper West Ham’s move for striker target

BRAZILIAN side Flamengo are trying to bring back West Ham star Lucas Paqueta — and beat Botafogo to his signature.

The midfield magician, 27, started his career at Flamengo and wants to return if he has the choice of move next month.

Brazilian rivals Botafogo are also after Paqueta and hope to include him in a deal for Hammers target Igor Jesus — their exciting striker, 23.

But Paqueta will have a big say in any deal and ideally wants a home-country reunion with Flamengo.

He appeared set for Prem champs Manchester City over the summer.

And if he leaves next month it would leave the Irons looking for a replacement for him AND a new striker.

West Ham had wanted Jesus even before the massive loss of car-crash victim Michail Antonio - so are keen on a swap deal.

Julen Lopetegui's 14th-placed side hope to edge further away from danger with victory at Bournemouth on Monday night.

And Lopetegui is sure Antonio will be back at some stage despite suffering serious injuries in a horror crash in his Ferrari FF near Theydon Bois in Epping.

The 34-year-old was airlifted to a London hospital and operated on.

FOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS

Club-mates and Lopetegui have since visited him there.

The Spaniard said: "The most important thing is that he's alive, he's good.

"He broke his femur, but he's going to recover for sure.

"The good news is that he has time because when you see the car was terrible, the accident, that's why we are happy.

"Now he's strong, he's recovered himself in the next month for sure and he's going to be ready to be a player.

"The first thing is to be a man and then to be a player."