West Ham United may have found cost-free replacement for Lucas Paqueta after FA charge
Callum O’Hare could prove to be a useful alternative for Lucas Paqueta if he is banned and West Ham United can’t raise funds to spend in the summer transfer window.
The FA announced on Thursday (23 May) that the Brazilian had been charged with rule breaches regarding betting.
This could result in a lengthy ban [The Times] which could scupper the Hammers’ ability to sell him over the summer.
Manchester City were looking to sign the attacking midfielder for £85m [Jacob Steinberg] but they could be put off by the potential ban.
This could leave Julen Lopetegui and Tim Steidten struggling for transfer budget as they look to add to their squad in the transfer window.
If Paqueta remains at the London Stadium and is banned, the Hammers may be in need of a cut-price alternative to their star man.
Callum O’Hare could be West Ham cut-price Paqueta replacement
A report by the Mirror (24 May) has suggested that the new West Ham head coach is looking to sign several players this summer.
One of the names suggested is O’Hare whose contract at Coventry City expires at the end of June and will be available on a free transfer.
Although he may not be the most glamourous of names, the attacking midfielder could represent a positive piece of business by Steidten.
The Englishman started 18 Championship games this season and in that time scored six and assisted three [FotMob].
Despite not being exact like-for-like players, there are some similarities between Paqueta and O’Hare in their profiles.
They both register high numbers of progressive carries with 6.65 for the Englishman [Fbref] compared to 6.72 for the Brazilian [Fbref].
The West Ham man has a high defensive output with 2.47 tackles per 90 this campaign. Comparatively, in the Championship O’Hare has clocked up 1.79.
If Lopetegui is desperate for new players and is low on funds then he could do worse than signing the Coventry man on a free.
The situation surrounding Paqueta is far from ideal but a hard-working, homegrown replacement could prove to be useful.
In other West Ham news, Julen Lopetegui is ready to move to sign Ademola Lookman as Stratford transfer news emerges.
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