Lucas Paqueta forced through a move to Flamengo from West Ham United late on in the January transfer window.
Paqueta spent three-and-a-half fairly underwhelming years with West Ham before moving back to his homeland last month.
However, he will be remembered fondly by the Hammers fans for his through-ball to Jarrod Bowen in the 2023 Europa Conference League final.
Who should replace Todibo on Saturday?! 🤔
Keep in mind that Axel Disasi hasn't played in months 😬
A graphic showing a split image of Max Kilman and Axel Disasi.
Credit: Getty Images/Rob Newell – CameraSport/Neville Williams/Aston Villa FC
Nuno Espirito Santo made five new signings for West Ham in the January transfer window, while Paqueta was one of seven players to leave the London Stadium, either on permanent or loan deals.
The Hammers manager definitely should have strengthened his backline more considerably than he actually did.
And it’s fair to suggest that Nuno should have signed an attacking midfielder to replace Paqueta as well.
However, we have now learned that he tried to do that, but was unable to get a deal over the line in the end.
MORE WEST HAM STORIES
West Ham’s Lucas Paqueta replacement is obvious
With Paqueta gone, Pablo Felipe has been utilised in the number 10 role by Nuno.
However, the long-term plan will surely be to sign a proper replacement for the Brazilian.
Lucas Paqueta celebrates after scoring for West Ham against Nottingham Forest.
Photo by Dan Istitene/Getty Images
Now it has been revealed that the Hammers tried to do exactly that very late on in the January transfer window.
According to a report from AreaNapoli, West Ham made a £17.3 million bid for talented attacking midfielder Antonio Vergara.
The 23-year-old Italian has played 12 games for Napoli this season, recording four goal contributions in the process.
A number 10 by trade, the left-footed Vergara can play as a right winger as well.
How will you remember Lucas Paqueta? 🤔
A graphic showing Lucas Paqueta's all-time statistics for West Ham.
Credit: Getty Images/Sebastian Frej/MB Media
The fact that West Ham moved in to sign the Napoli star so late on in the January transfer window means that Nuno most likely wanted him as a replacement for Lucas Paqueta.
Antonio Vergara an upgrade on Paqueta for West Ham
It will be no surprise to see the Hammers try to sign Vergara once again in the summer.
He is much more mobile than Paqueta ever was, and the 23-year-old is far more physically suited to the physical demands of the Premier League.
While Paqueta was a real game-changer on his day, he failed to show any kind of consistency for West Ham.
SSC Napoli v ACF Fiorentina - Serie A
Photo by Francesco Pecoraro/Getty Images
The 28-year-old became somewhat of a liability in the end, certainly from a defensive standpoint.
Antonio Vergara would be a big upgrade on Lucas Paqueta for West Ham in that sense.
The Napoli star never stops working and he possesses real quality inside the final third.
If West Ham do want to sign Vergara in the summer, it’s clear that they will have to increase their original £17.3 million offer for the Italian.
It also goes without saying that the Hammers need to retain their Premier League status this season to have any chance whatsoever of signing the Napoli star.
Join Our Newsletter
Receive a digest of our best West Ham content each week direct to your mailbox