West Ham have reportedly won the race for Flamengo midfielder Gonzalo Plata.
Reports in Brazil suggest Plata held a ‘no phones’ farewell party over the weekend amid rumours of a move to London.
It is believed Plata is on his way to the struggling Premier League side but it is unclear whether its part of a deal which will see Lucas Paqueta go the other way.
Arrival Opens Door To Paqueta Exit
Paqueta has been looking to force a move away from the London side in the January transfer window after a tough few years in England.
The Brazilian requested to be left out of the West Ham squad against Tottenham last weekend.
X user @crfmattos claims Plata hosted a farewell barbecue with fellow players on the condition no phones were allowed.
Reports suggests Plata’s party was a farewell party for he and his Flamengo friends and to celebrate his impending move to London.
Rumours have surfaced of Paqueta’s reluctance to take part in West Ham training with a move back to Brazil top of his agenda.
The expected arrival of Plata suggests Paqueta has got his wish despite the West Ham board trying to hold on to the midfielder.
Plata is described as a hard-working pressing machine, exactly what West Ham need if they are to avoid relegation.
Vamos aos fatos.
Ontem, Gonzalo Plata deu uma festa em sua casa. Foi um churrasco, com todos os convidados com os celulares guardados, uma regra já conhecida nas festas do jogador.
Durante o evento, Plata confidenciou a algumas pessoas que era uma festa de despedida e que ele…
— Mattos (@crfmattos) January 19, 2026
West Ham Investing Heavily In Premier League Survival
Manager Nuno Espirito Santo had looked on the brink of the sack with Michael Carrick and Slaven Billic tipped as the next West Ham manager.
However, David Sullivan and Co have certainly backed the manager during the January transfer window.
West Ham have already spent big money on Taty Castellanos and Pablo in recent weeks in a bid to add extra firepower.
While reports suggest that rather than cashing in on Paqueta, the board actively fought to keep the midfielder citing him as a key player in the bid for survival.
The battle to keep hold of Paqueta looks to be over but the arrival of Plata should plug that gap.
There’s belief he can slot straight into Premier League life having previously played in Spain and Portugal before making the move to Brazil.
More West Ham Exits Expected
West Ham made a bit more room in their budget when it was confirmed Scotland international Andy Irving had joined Sparta Prague.
It has looked as though veteran striker Callum Wilson had played his last game for West Ham following the arrivals of Castellanos and Pablo.
However, the former Newcastle man came off the bench to earn the Hammers a much-needed three points against Tottenham last weekend.
More exits are expected though, with the club welcoming offers for £20million summer signing Mads Hermansen.
