RIO DE JANEIRO, Dec. 15 (Xinhua) -- Brazil international midfielder Lucas Paqueta could leave West Ham in January to rejoin his original club Flamengo, according to media reports in the South American country.

Paqueta is contracted to West Ham until June 2027 but has expressed a desire to return to his homeland after a difficult 2024, newspaper O Globo reported.

It added that Brazilian Serie A champions Botafogo could also make a move for the 27-year-old in a deal that would involve Brazil international striker Igor Jesus as a makeweight.

Paqueta has made 101 appearances for West Ham, scoring 15 goals and providing 14 assists since joining the Premier League club from Lyon in August 2022. This season he has managed just two goals and has yet to provide an assist in 17 appearances for the London outfit.

In May, the FA charged Paqueta for allegedly receiving deliberate yellow cards "for the improper purpose of affecting the betting market". The Brazilian has denied the accusations, describing them as "misleading and inaccurate".