Lucas Paqueta was the inevitable talk of the town at West Ham United on Tuesday as further details emerged regarding the Brazil international’s attempted return to Flamengo.
How would you react if the Hammers were to cash in? Would you accept losing a footballer of the raw-if-exasperating talents of Lucas Paqueta, as long as his departure secured Nuno Espirito Santo a further £35 million to spend on January recruits?
Has Crysencio Summerville turned a corner? What was your first impression of Taty Castellanos? And what next for Kurt Zouma?
West Ham United fans, let us know how you feel about all these topics and more.
How will you LOOK BACK on Lucas Paqueta’s West Ham career? 🇧🇷
Rate his Hammers career out of 10
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Lucas Paqueta wants to leave West Ham United for Flamengo
It’s been a funny old spell, hasn’t it?
From the highs of Conference League glory to the lows of a two-year spot-fixing charge. From truly awesome to utterly anonymous, often from one minute to the next.
Only time will tell how history reflects on Lucas Paqueta’s time as a West Ham player.
Brazilian reporter Rodrigo Mattos claims that Paqueta has snubbed a Mohammed Kudus reunion at Tottenham in favour of a fresh start back home.
Good riddance, or a fond farewell?
“I think his desire is clear. He wants to join Flamengo,” Mattos tells UOL Esporte. “Not just because he doesn’t want to go to Tottenham, which is a big English club, but also because he sees the atmosphere surrounding him in England, ever since the betting investigations began.
“He suffered a lot of reputational damage within England specifically. So I think that factor also plays into his desire to leave.”
Taty Castellanos loves playing with Crysencio Summerville already
From one departing South American to one new fan favourite.
Taty Castellanos has struck up quite the partnership with Crysencio Summerville already. Could the all-action Argentine be the key which unlocks the potential of a winger who ended his 25-match barren run against QPR on Sunday?
And, in a post-Paqueta world, how would your dream West Ham attack look?
Describe Taty Castellanos in ONE word! 🇦🇷
And what would your West Ham frontline be now if you were picking the team?
Konstantinos Mavropanos faces a spell out through injury
Nuno remains extremely hopeful of securing central defensive additions this month. But as West Ham’s pursuit of Charlie Cresswell drags on without an end in sight, Nuno finds himself resorting to hopes and prayers regarding the fitness of Konstantinos Mavropanos.
“It was a neck injury,” Nuno tells the club’s official website after the big defender was stretchered off against QPR. “We are assessing it now. He’s in pain, and he will need a couple of days to settle down.
“Hopefully, he’s going to be okay.”
Hammers News have been told that Mavropanos could miss a few weeks of action. And that is a best-case scenario.
How much will West Ham miss him?
Summerville finds form as Andreas Schjelderup links emerge
Reports late last week claimed that West Ham had held talks with Benfica regarding a deal for their silky Norwegian wideman Andreas Schjelderup.
Now, Jose Mourinho has his reservations about the 21-year-old prospect. But for a West Ham side lacking real cutting edge outside of the seemingly-departing Paqueta, could Schjelderup be the lock-picker required to open up opportunities for Castellanos and Pablo?
The problem is, Schjelderup and Summerville play in the same position. The latter may have picked a very good time to score his first goal since October 2024, then…
What would YOU tell Summerville as West Ham eye a potential replacement?
Talks have been held with Andreas Schjelderup?
Kurt Zouma leaves CFR Cluj after only four appearances
Romanian giants Cluj have released Kurt Zouma after less than 200 minutes of football. As transfers go, you would be hard pressed to find one which promised so much and delivered so little, considering the lofty expectations placed on a man some had dubbed the biggest name ever to step foot on Romanian soil.
Zouma’s injury issues have taken their toll. At only 31, is there a route back for him in the professional game?
What would you say if you heard West Ham could RE-SIGN Kurt Zouma? 🇫🇷
Alvaro Arbeloa and Michael Carrick handed massive jobs
And finally, two former Hammers secured two of the biggest managerial roles in sport this week.
Alvaro Arbeloa replaces Xabi Alonso at Real Madrid on a short-term basis. Michael Carrick, meanwhile, was parachuted in to Manchester United following the failure of Ruben Amorim.
But which one-time West Ham player will go on to achieve the most in management? Frank Lampard, top of the Championship table with Coventry City, may have something to say about this…
Which of these former Hammers will go the FURTHEST in management?
And tell us why!
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