West Ham ‘preparing to sign Lucas Paqueta replacement’ after life ban latest

West Ham are set to assess the transfer market to find a replacement for Lucas Paqueta ahead of a potential long-term ban for suspicious betting activity.

Mick Brown, who worked as a senior scout at the London Stadium until leaving last June and remains very well-connected there, exclusively told Football Insider that replacing the 27-year-old will be part of the plans this summer.

This comes as Paqueta’s FA hearing is expected to take place this month as he has been accused of picking up four bookings for the purpose of financial gain.

There have been suggestions he faces a huge ban, with even the brutal possibility of a life ban from football mooted.

Former Man City financial adviser Stefan Borson told Football Insider on 26 February that the allegations have created a “big problem” for Paqueta and West Ham.

As a result, West Ham have started to put plans in place to identify potential replacements for Paqueta – something Brown insists will prove difficult.

However, complications surrounding the exit of Tim Steidten and appointment of Kyle Macaulay have disrupted the Hammers’ transfer plans.

Macaulay, a close ally of Graham Potter who has been appointed as West Ham’s Head of Recruitment, is now working to identify targets behind the scenes ahead of the summer window.

West Ham move to sign Lucas Paqueta replacement after Tim Steidten exit

Brown told Football Insider in October that West Ham are looking to replace Paqueta amid the threat of a “l

The former scout, who has a wealth of experience in top-level player recruitment after over a decade at Man United during their most successful period, insisted that their plans have been disrupted by Steidten’s departure at Macaulay’s arrival.

“I think their transfer business has been disrupted,” he told Football Insider.