West Ham should sign Crystal Palace star if Paqueta leaves the club

Lucas Paqueta joined West Ham for a club record transfer fee of £51 million from French club Lyon in 2022. In his debut season at the London Stadium, Paqueta showcased his quality and contributed to twelve goals as West Ham won the UEFA Conference League that season. Next season, he followed that with fifteen goal contributions in 43 appearances despite playing mostly as a left winger. 

His impressive displays for West Ham attracted transfer interest from Premier League Champions Manchester City. City had agreed a transfer fee of £85 million to sign him from the Hammers, but his off field issues didn't let the transfer happen and he stayed at West Ham this season. Further Paqueta hasn't had a great start to this season and uncertainty looms over his West Ham future due to his off field issues and he can leave West Ham in the coming transfer windows. 

West Ham should sign Crystal Palace star if Paqueta leaves the club

Thus, West Ham need to find a replacement for the creative playmaker who has been surrounded by transfer rumours throughout this summer transfer window. One of the best playmaking midfielder options for West Ham can be to sign Crystal Palace star Eberechi Eze. Eze has had two brilliant seasons at Palace as he scored 10 goals and provided four assists in the 2022/23 season and followed it by scoring eleven goals and providing seven assists in the last season.

His brilliant performances in the Premier League led him to feature in three matches for the England national team in the UEFA Euro 2024. The 26-year-old is entering into his prime and will be a great addition to the Hammers midfield with his quality and game awareness. Several clubs like Manchester United and Chelsea are interested in signing Eze, hence, West Ham will need to qualify for European football next season in order to convince Eze to arrive at the London Stadium.