The Brazil international admitted his former club had already approached him in May 2024 once he was caught up in a betting scandal, as the FA charged him with four counts of spot-fixing after a 10-month investigation.
However, Paqueta was cleared of spot-fixing charges by an independent regulatory commission in July following a nearly two-year investigation, in what was a huge relief for him and the club.
The midfielder revealed he was close to joining Flamengo but after the support from West Ham, he thought better of it.
“As soon as I was accused (in 2023), and the whole trial process was about to begin, Braz came to my house, made the offer, and asked what I thought. Obviously, I always want to go back to Flamengo, but at that moment I was still a bit undecided about my decision, about what I was going to do.
“I also talked to the West Ham director and said; ‘Braz, I want to go back. I know I’ll feel good at Flamengo. But I can’t be ungrateful to the club that’s supporting me so much.”
Paqueta seeks Flamengo return
Now, rumours around his future have cropped up once more, and the 28-year-old has spoken this week about his desire to return to his homeland and feature for Flamengo once more.
"The second moment, I knew that I could continue playing normally. I felt like returning to Flamengo. Maybe I shouldn’t say this, but I had some conversations with (head coach) Filipe Luis.
“I always want to go back to Flamengo. I know I’ll feel good at Flamengo, but I can’t be ungrateful to the club that is supporting me a lot (West Ham).”
Paqueta had given a great deal of thought about re-joining Flamengo in the past, but after the club’s support it seemed like a no-brainer to stay. As he edges closer to retirement, however, he may return home as he reaches the end of his career over the next few years.