West Ham United are preparing for life without star midfielder Lucas Paqueta by identifying a cut-price replacement, according to fresh reports. The Hammers are said to be plotting a £12 million move for Paris FC's in-form Algerian international, Ilan Kebbal.
Paqueta's Impending Exit Sparks Search
The need for a new creative force arises from the likely departure of Brazilian playmaker Lucas Paqueta. The 28-year-old has not featured for the club since January 6, with the official reason cited as a back injury. However, widespread reports suggest he is actively pushing for a return to his former club, Flamengo, with a deal being worked on this month.
Manager Nuno Espirito Santo addressed the situation before his side's crucial 2-1 victory over Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday, a result that moved West Ham to within five points of safety. "I think it is a situation we have to solve," Nuno stated. "All of us at the club will have to solve it, we always want our best players and he is one of our best players, so let's try solve the situation."
Kebbal Emerges as Prime Target
Should Paqueta depart, transfer specialist Alan Nixon claims West Ham have already zeroed in on his successor. The club, which has already secured signings like Taty Castellanos this window, is being proactive. The target is Paris FC's Ilan Kebbal, a 25-year-old who has impressed in Ligue 1 this season.
Kebbal has contributed six goals and four assists in 16 league appearances, showcasing the attacking output West Ham would crave. He recently returned from representing Algeria at the Africa Cup of Nations, where they reached the quarter-finals, and marked his comeback to club football with an assist in a famous 1-0 Coupe de France win over Paris Saint-Germain.
Versatility a Key Asset for Hammers
While touted as a direct replacement for Paqueta, Kebbal offers tactical flexibility. This season he has predominantly operated as a right winger for Paris FC, but last campaign he was also deployed on the left and in central positions. This versatility would be a valuable asset for Nuno Espirito Santo as he looks to reshape his squad.
The manager remained coy on specific targets but acknowledged the difficulty of the winter market. "We are working very hard as a club to find the right ones in what is a very tricky transfer window to operate," Nuno said. "We have to make good decisions and we cannot afford mistakes."
With Paqueta's future increasingly uncertain, the move for Ilan Kebbal appears to be a calculated piece of business, aiming to secure a dynamic and versatile attacker for a relatively modest fee as the January transfer window enters its final stages.
