Lucas Paqueta has posted a farewell message to West Ham fans ahead of his imminent transfer to Flamengo.
Standard Sport reported earlier on Wednesday that West Ham had accepted a £36.4million bid for Paqueta from Flamengo.
West Ham later confirmed in a statement that they had given Paqueta permission to undergo a medical and discuss personal terms ahead of a return to his boyhood club.
Paqueta has long been linked with a move back to Flamengo, and admitted in an interview in November that he had found it hard to turn down an approach from his former employers last summer.
Paqueta has now posted a farewell video of himself and his family interacting with West Ham fans accompanied by a voiceover from the Brazilian, in which he states his reasons for leaving the club - among them being that he needs to “find joy in football again”.
He admits that he turned down offers to stay in Europe and states that while he never requested to leave the club, he did ask to return home.
Paqueta went on to say that his reasons for leaving did not involve the club’s current plight, with West Ham battling against relegation from the Premier League and five points from safety.
The transcript from Paqueta’s farewell video read: “Hello Hammers! I want to thank everyone at the club: staff, employees, and players, for the years I’ve spent here. These have been unique, memorable moments. Some happy, some not.
“But I always tried to be my best self - and we all know why that’s no longer possible. Some scars I’ll carry for the rest of my life, and one made me realise I can’t keep fighting against something that’s no longer for me.
“I refused offers from rival teams to stay in Europe. I never asked to leave. I did ask to return home, and I hope someday you’ll understand that nothing is more comforting than going back home. I need this for my mental health, my wife, and my children.
“I need to find joy in football again, and regain my peace. I realised that here I’d still need to fight battles that aren’t mine anymore.
“It was never about the club’s current situation. When I arrived, we faced similar challenges, but ultimately won a [Conference League] title that will forever be a part of history.
“I know some won’t remember me fondly, and I’m sorry - but that pass to [Jarrod] Bowen came from someone who stayed true to his dream.
“I’m going home, but I’ll always support you. Thank you for everything, West Ham.”
