West Ham and Flamengo have agreed a £36.5m fee for the 28-year-old wantaway Hammer who is expected to fly to Brazil for his medical soon.
The decision as to whether -or not – to replace Lucas Paqueta immediately rests entirely with Nuno Espirito Santo, club insiders have told Claret and Hugh this afternoon.
Obviously this can have season – defining ramifications if West Ham don’t bring in a replacement and are relegated as a result.
Asked whether West Ham were in the market for a like-for-like replacement for ‘Nuno’s number 10″ our club source replied: “it is the manager’s decision”
West Ham have played better without their Brazilian play maker, but the big question is whether a player like Paqueta is a luxury that is not required in a relegation battle and whether the Hammers squad offers sufficient creativity with Mateus Fernandes the only like-for-like candidate to slot into the Paquetá role.
Nuno continues to rebalance his squad with likely a number more departures and additions before the window shuts on Monday evening.
He has contributed very little apart from drama . We are a much better team without him . If we have money it must go on a centre back so that Kilman never gets the chance to cost us points again .
George Earthy could have done a job as the no 10.
If we get relegated it won’t be because Paquetas not playing it will be because of when he WAS playing
Really? THIS club, on the brink of relegation, have affordable, available and valid no 10s all lined up? All ready & eager to sign for WHU. Just waiting for the manager’s nod?
Incredible, who would believe it.
If we need to replace Paqueta like for like then we could do worse than acquiring the services of James Ward Prowse.
A like for like replacement is clearly not required as the last two games have shown. Two centre backs are needed however
The huge mistake the club has made, suspect it could be the manager has made, is letting Earthy out on loan.
Completely agree. I can only presume Nuno doesn’t fancy him. He does appear to be very black and white in his personnel dealings, but maybe bordering on stubborn rather than pragmatic which could be the issue.
Our season was defined before a ball was kicked. Sullivan didn’t invest in the team and is desperately spending now to rectify HIS mistakes.
Coward Sullivan hiding behind Nuno. Only West Ham with our defensive record, would go into the window with no can targets identified. Obviously our chief scout will salthouse hasn’t come up with anyone. Instead we talk about goalkeeepers.
That said we have had a good clear out of faces that don’t fit, mostly undoing steidens work
The squad are playing well and Fernandes has been fantastic so not sure what Nuno will do . I know a CB is needed so let’s see .Nice to see the squad and Nuno getting on together ⚒
If nuno is looking to go 4-2-4 I don’t see why you would want to replace him like for like?