West Ham are starting to show their utter desperation by plotting a baffling move to replace Lucas Paqueta with a Manchester City midfielder.
One of the reasons West Ham are staring relegation in the face is because of some terrible recruitment over the last few years.
While Manchester City have obvious advantages over the Hammers, they are among the clubs who set the benchmark when it comes to identifying and signing talent.
Other Premier League clubs much smaller than West Ham manage to put the east Londoners to shame with their recruitment too – so it proves it is not about what you spend but rather how.
Now West Ham’s failings are coming to a head – and there is no lack of irony that Man City’s name is being mentioned.
It was Man City who were involved from the start when Lucas Paqueta looked set to leave the Hammers back in August 2023.
Paqueta to leave West Ham after ‘dream’ Man City move collapsed in 2023
A deal was all but agreed for Paqueta to join the Etihad side for around £80m.
David Moyes and Karren Brady have both since publicly confirmed that West Ham had struck a deal for Cole Palmer to sign in the other direction for around £30m too.
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A graphic showing Nuno Espirito Santo's quotes on Lucas Paqueta's West Ham future on 15/01/2025.
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However, the FA launched what would become a two-year spot-fixing investigation and case against Paqueta, the deals with Man City collapsed and the rest, as they say, is history.
Paqueta has been a shadow of his former self ever since.
Even after being exonerated of any wrongdoing in the summer, Paqueta’s form has not truly recovered.
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola embraces West Ham's Brazilian midfielder Lucas Paqueta
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The ship of what he described as a “dream” move to Man City has sailed.
Now Paqueta is pushing to return to his boyhood club Flamengo in Brazil.
The saga has dominated transfer headlines this week with a meeting between West Ham and Flamengo suggesting a deal looks more likely than not in the coming days.
Nuno Espirito Santo described Paqueta as ‘irreplaceable’ recently – but should the 28-year-old leave then West Ham desperately need to bring in a replacement if they are to have any hope of staying up.
And the depth of the club’s desperation is showing it seems.
Because West Ham are plotting a baffling move to replace Paqueta with Man City star Mateo Kovacic.
Desperate West Ham plot baffling move to replace Paqueta with Kovacic
Hammers fans have seen their club make some seriously questionable signings down the years.
Most supporters questioned the wisdom of signing Niclas Fullkrug for £27m from Dortmund given his age, the fact he lacked any pace and had a lengthy history of serious injuries.
If you could pick only ONE of these players to join West Ham, who are you choosing?
The Hammers have made approaches for all four…
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It is fair to say those fans were proved right pretty quickly over that doomed deal.
Now the Hammers are said to have their eyes on bringing Kovacic in from Man City if Paqueta is sold to Flamengo.
Kovacic is a superb midfielder who West Ham would be lucky to have, even if he has fallen out of the reckoning at Manchester City.
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Hammers “want” Man City star who is injured until mid-March
The 31-year-old Croatian’s quality, class and energy would be just what the Hammers need.
But supporters will be left scratching their heads at this reported plan – because Kovacic is sidelined until March with an injury.
Yes West Ham fans, you did just read that correctly.
Kovacic suffered an Achilles injury at the back end of last season, requiring an operation which kept him out until October this season.
Pep Guardiola cautiously welcomed Kovacic back into the Man City fold but he has been out ever since after feeling pain around his ankle upon his return and being forced to undergo a further operation.
Transfermarkt list his expected return date as March 14th at the earliest.
Kovacic would only have eight games to help save West Ham
Ironically West Ham play Manchester City at home on that date.
With the Hammers locked in a relegation fight, the idea of targeting an injured player in such circumstances should raise serious questions about priorities, realism and whether decision-making at the club is once again detached from the urgency of the situation on the pitch.
Kovacic would need time to get match fit too after another five months out.
But the Hammers would only have eight games remaining after March 14th.
A fully fit Kovacic would be a much better option for West Ham’s current plight than Paqueta.
But that might not be until next season.
West Ham fans have been savaging the plan on social media since it emerged from Brazilian site Odia in their reporting on the Paqueta saga.
Hammers supporters will just have to hope the report is one of many tall tales that emerge at this time of year.
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