West Ham United is reportedly considering a bold move to bring in a World Cup champion as a potential replacement for Lucas Paqueta come summer.
Lucas Paqueta, who made the switch to West Ham from Lyon in the summer of 2022, has quickly become a standout player in the Premier League, even earning a recall to the Brazil national team due to his impressive performances.
However, there’s growing concern among West Ham fans as Manchester City appears interested in snapping up Paqueta in a deal rumored to be around £85 million this upcoming summer.
Should David Moyes find himself without the Brazilian talent, the task of finding a comparable elite talent to fill the void will be paramount.
Rumors suggest West Ham’s eyes are set on Roma’s Paulo Dybala, a seasoned forward with a World Cup victory under his belt, as per reports from Football Transfers.
Yet, this potential transfer raises several eyebrows for a few reasons. Firstly, at 30 years old, and soon to be 31, Dybala’s best years might be behind him, especially considering his significant injury history. Having missed 378 days due to injuries since the 2020/21 season, according to Transfermarkt, his resilience is a legitimate concern.
Moreover, Dybala’s playing style and position differ markedly from Paqueta’s, making this transfer a puzzling prospect for the Hammers. With a current weekly wage of around £137k at Roma, as noted by Salary Sport, Dybala’s likely salary demands for what could be his final significant contract might not align with West Ham’s valuation, especially given the Premier League’s demanding pace and intensity, which could prove challenging for him given his injury history.
If West Ham indeed finds themselves in the market for Paqueta’s replacement, the preference seems to lean towards a younger, more dynamic player with a high potential for growth. Names like Eberechi Eze or Lazar Samardžić have been floated as more fitting alternatives that could better suit Moyes’ needs and the team’s future aspirations.
