WEST HAM do not want to lose Lucas Paqueta in the January transfer window and are yet to receive a bid for the midfielder, PA reported today.

Paqueta was linked with a move away from London Stadium last summer before he subsequently stayed at the Premier League club, but speculation has again heightened over the future of the 28-year-old.

Fresh reports today suggested Paqueta is keen to return to his native Brazil to join Flamengo and that he refused to play in Sunday’s FA Cup victory over QPR.

Sources close to West Ham insisted an unspecified injury was behind his absence for the third-round tie.

However, a decision on Paqueta’s future will have to be taken quickly, with West Ham in desperate need of reinforcements already this month given the club finds itself in a relegation battle.

West Ham are 18th in the Premier League and seven points from safety after last Tuesday’s home loss to Nottingham Forest.

It increased scrutiny on boss Nuno Espirito Santo and he will not want to lose Paqueta, who has five goals in 19 appearances in all competitions this season.

Next up for West Ham is a trip to rivals Tottenham on Saturday.