FA probe into Lucas Paqueta ‘killed’ West Ham pursuit of Elye Wahi, focus still on Mohammed Kudus
The FA investigation into West Ham star Lucas Paqueta “killed” the club’s move for Montpellier striker Elye Wahi, according to Jacob Steinberg.
Writing on Twitter (19 August), the Guardian reporter provided an update on the current transfer situation at West Ham, after it was revealed that Paqueta’s move to Manchester City had broken down amid an FA probe into alleged betting breaches, which the player denies.
As a result of the investigation, the Hammers’ move for Wahi was kiboshed, with the 20-year-old striker now set to move to Lens, as reported by Fabrizio Romano via Twitter (19 August).
Meanwhile, the club remain focused on signing Mohammed Kudus, the 23-year-old Ghana international from Ajax, as they attempt to drive down the £44million price tag set by the Dutch side, as reported online by The Guardian (18 August).
Dominoes
It seems as if another case of a transfer shuffle is underway at the London Stadium and David Moyes is probably growing uncertain over who exactly he will have in his squad for the current Premier League campaign, once the window slams shut.
After selling Declan Rice, it took the club an age to sign a replacement as they were linked with what felt like every midfielder across Europe within their price range. In the end, James Ward-Prowse and Edson Alvarez were brought in.
The club still need more, particularly an attacking player as well as a centre-back, and the situation with Paqueta seems to have caused more uncertainty.
There were links with Wahi, Jeremy Doku and Kudus, however, it now seems as if the Wahi deal is all but dead and the Doku situation has gone quiet. Therefore, Moyes will be hopeful they can at least get Kudus across the line.
It certainly hasn’t been a quiet summer for the East London outfit.
In other West Ham news, more details have emerged in the Paqueta investigation.