West Ham plot £12m swoop for in-form Lucas Paqueta replacement

West Ham picked up a huge three points against Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday afternoon, moving to five points from safety after Nottingham Forest picked up a point against Arsenal.

Nuno Espirito Santo’s side claimed the victory without the services of wantaway midfielder Lucas Paqueta. The Brazil international has regularly been linked with an exit from the London Stadium in recent windows and that now looks set to happen this month.

The 28-year-old hasn’t featured for West Ham since January 6 and the club’s official line is that the player is suffering from a back injury but there are reports he is pushing for an exit. Flamengo are believed to be working on a deal this month, which would see the midfielder return to his former side.

West Ham target Lucas Paqueta replacement

Should that happen, transfer specialist Alan Nixon claims that West Ham have already identified a replacement. The Hammers are being proactive in the January window with Taty Castellanos and Pablo already through the door, and a centre-back expected next.

Paqueta’s departure could also open up a space for a new midfielder. Nixon names Paris FC star Ilan Kebbal as a prime candidate with West Ham already said to be working on that deal.

Kebbal has six goals and four assists in 16 Ligue 1 appearances this term and is expected to cost the Premier League side £12 million. The midfielder was part of the Algeria squad that competed at the Africa Cup of Nations, reaching the quarter final.

Ilan Kebbal impresses for Paris FC with assist against PSG

On his return to Paris FC, Kebbal picked up an assist in an impressive 1-0 Coupe de France win over Paris Saint-Germain last week. While touted as a replacement for Paqueta, the Algerian has been playing as a right winger this season. Kebbal was deployed on the left and centrally for Paris FC last season, pointing to a player who would add versatility to Nuno’s side.

The West Ham manager was asked about the future of Paqueta prior to facing Tottenham Hotspur and said: "I think it is a situation we have to solve. 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."

Nuno was also quizzed on which areas of the squad need improvement in the window. He said: "There are but let me try and keep it to myself. We are working very hard as a club to find the right ones in what is a very tricky transfer window to operate. We have to make good decisions and we cannot afford mistakes."

In other news, West Ham sign Chelsea star, N'Golo Kante and Premier League forward in starting XI if transfer rumours true.