{"id":421432,"date":"2026-01-18T15:25:09","date_gmt":"2026-01-18T15:25:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/421432\/"},"modified":"2026-01-18T15:25:09","modified_gmt":"2026-01-18T15:25:09","slug":"west-ham-want-sensational-ilan-kebbal-transfer-as-lucas-paqueta-replacement-found","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/421432\/","title":{"rendered":"West Ham want ‘sensational’ Ilan Kebbal transfer as Lucas Paqueta replacement found"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Ilan<\/p>\n

Credit: Imago<\/p>\n

\"Alex <\/p>\n

Sun 18 January 2026 11:10, UK <\/p>\n

West Ham United may have already found their replacement if Lucas Paqueta departs in the January transfer window.<\/p>\n

Paqueta wants to leave West Ham<\/a> and move back to Brazil, with his former side Flamengo working to get a deal over the line this month.<\/p>\n

The 28-year-old hasn\u2019t featured for the Hammers since their 2-1 defeat to Nottingham Forest<\/a> on 6 January.<\/p>\n

While the official line is that he is suffering from a back injury, some reports are suggesting that he is refusing to play as he tries to engineer an exit.<\/p>\n

\ud83d\udea8GLOBO:<\/p>\n

Flamengo informed West Ham that they would NOT loan Lucas Paquet\u00e1 back!<\/p>\n

Flamengo already has an idea of the amount it needs to pay to bring Paquet\u00e1 now and will prepare the official proposal.<\/p>\n

The negotiation is heading toward a happy ending for Flamengo. pic.twitter.com\/7ptMv8niN1<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Brasil Football \ud83c\udde7\ud83c\uddf7 (@BrasilEdition) January 17, 2026<\/a> <\/p>\n

View Tweet<\/p>\n

West Ham tracking Ilan Kebbal<\/p>\n

West Ham<\/a> have already made two moves in the January window, bringing both Taty Castellanos<\/a> and Pablo Felipe to the London Stadium to help their Premier League survival bid.<\/p>\n

However, Nuno Espirito Santo may be forced back into the market if Paqueta leaves, to replace the Brazilian\u2019s creativity.<\/p>\n

According to Alan Nixon on his Patreon<\/a>, West Ham are making a move for Paris FC attacking midfielder Ilan Kebbal.<\/p>\n

Nixon dubbed the 27-year-old \u201csensational\u201d, who has six goals and four assists in Ligue 1 this season, and would cost the Hammers around \u00a312m.<\/p>\n

\"Ilan<\/p>\n

He was recently part of the Algeria squad that reached the quarter-finals of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), before setting up the winning goal against PSG in his first game back from the tournament.<\/p>\n

Kebbal could be a replacement for Paqueta<\/a> if he does depart this month, and is reportedly keen on the move to East London.<\/p>\n

West Ham\u2019s Premier League status hinges on Paqueta replacement<\/p>\n

If West Ham are to have any chance of avoiding Premier League relegation this season, then they must find the perfect replacement for Paqueta, should he leave.<\/p>\n

The 28-year-old has been one of the Hammers\u2019 main sources of creativity over recent years, so would leave a big void to fill if he departs.<\/p>\n

West Ham beat Tottenham 2-1<\/a> on Saturday afternoon, meaning they are now just five points adrift of safety.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n

It is a gap that they are more than capable of closing, but the recruitment still needs to be perfect for them to have a real chance.<\/p>\n

Whether it is Kebbal or someone else, the East London side desperately needs to get a deal over the line before the transfer window slams shut.<\/p>\n

Stay up to date this winter with our West Ham transfer tracker<\/a>. Click to see every done deal at the London Stadium, plus expert reaction from our team of writers.<\/p>\n