West Ham manager Graham Potter applauds owner David Sullivan.
(Credit: Imago)
Niall Togher
Tue 5 August 2025 12:49, UK
Graham Potter could be in line to secure another midfield target after reportedly missing out on Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall.
Potter is known to want to undergo a large-scale rebuild of his midfield over the summer, and Dewsbury-Hall looked to be a part of that.
However, with the Englishman on the brink of joining Everton, it appears West Ham must evaluate other targets in the transfer market.
Lucas Paqueta is a player who could make way as part of this rebuild under Potter, with the Brazilian attracting interest from elsewhere.
Graham Potter West Ham
Potter wants to build a new midfield this summer (Credit: Imago)
Exequiel Palacios linked with a move to East London
Guido Rodriguez and Edson Alvarez are other midfielders who could be approaching the end of their stint in E20.
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According to a report from Sky Sports (5 August), the Hammers are said to be in the market for box-to-box and holding midfielders, with Rodriguez named as one of those West Ham are willing to listen to offers for.
Alongside Jacob Ramsey from Aston Villa, it is claimed that Exequiel Palacios from Bayer Leverkusen has also emerged as a potential target.
Palacios, 26, made three substitute appearances as Argentina won the 2022 World Cup.
Palacios has 36 international caps for Argentina
He has made 108 appearances for Leverkusen across six different seasons
Won the Bundesliga with Leverkusen under Xabi Alonso
Was a part of two Copa America victories with Argentina
Palacios would be a valuable addition to Potter’s midfield and a shrewd signing from David Sullivan and Co., with the Argentinian having excellent data when it comes to his passing and, in particular, his progressive passes.
While signing Dewsbury-Hall from Chelsea would have been nice, the fee Everton are set to pay is overpriced and bringing in a World Cup winner in Palacios is simply more exciting.
Exequiel Palacios data
(Credit: DataMB)
West Ham must keep Paqueta to play alongside Palacios
The West Ham faithful will be fantasising about the possibility of adding a player of Palacios’ quality to potentially play alongside Paqueta next season.
Despite the uncertainty regarding his future, Potter and West Ham must change their mind and do whatever it takes to keep Paqueta at the London Stadium.
The fact that he has been cleared of all wrongdoing in his betting scandal, and the Hammers are now set to invest in their midfield to strengthen it, will only bring out the best in the Brazilian.
There’s a reason Pep Guardiola wanted Paqueta at Manchester City, and the rest of the Premier League could also be reminded why this was the case next season if Paqueta features in a newly reinforced Irons’ midfield.
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