West Ham Target This 24-Year-Old Midfielder To Replace Paquetá: Right Move For Nuno? | OneFootball

West Ham United have officially lost their key creative player, Lucas Paquetá, to Flamengo in a €42 million deal. This leaves manager Nuno Espírito Santo with a massive problem in his midfield. The Brazilian’s departure, driven by a desire to return home, puts a lot of pressure on the East London club. They are currently fighting to stay in the Premier League.

West Ham United Target Atalanta’s Nicola Zalewski to Replace Flamengo-Bound Paquetá

In response, the Irons are looking at Serie A. According to Italian transfer expert Gianluca Di Marzio, West Ham want Atalanta’s Polish international Nicola Zalewski to take over Paquetá’s spot at the London Stadium. Di Marzio reports that the Hammers have asked about the 24-year-old midfielder.

Zalewski only joined Atalanta from Roma in the summer of 2025 for roughly €17 million. The Polish international has since become a regular starter in Raffaele Palladino’s side as they push for the Champions League. So, the Italian club are in a strong position to negotiate.

They will definitely want a big profit before they let a player leave midway through the season, especially since his contract runs until 2029. While there isn’t a formal bid yet, West Ham’s interest is real. The board knows they must move fast before the January window shuts in 48 hours. This will give Nuno the players he needs to keep the team up.

A Gamble for Survival

BERGAMO, ITALY – JANUARY 25: Alessandro Circati of Parma Calcio 1913 and Nicola Zalewski of Atalanta battle for possession during the Serie A match between Atalanta BC and Parma Calcio 1913 at New Balance Stadium on January 25, 2026 in Bergamo, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

West Ham’s push for Zalewski shows they are desperate to improve. The Hammers are currently 18th in the table and stay five points away from the safe zone. This is despite recent wins over Tottenham and Sunderland. Replacing a player as good as Paquetá is almost impossible in January, but Zalewski has some interesting skills.

He is a great dribbler and can play in several positions. He can fit in as an attacking midfielder or out on the wing. The 24-year-old also has plenty of experience playing in Europe. His stats this season include one goal and three assists in 18 Serie A games. These numbers show Zalewski is a consistent player rather than a massive goalscorer. However, his work rate fits Nuno’s style of play perfectly.

Still, there are big problems with this deal. Why would Zalewski leave Champions League football with Atalanta for a relegation battle in England? The player might think the Premier League is a great place to be, but the timing is risky. Also, West Ham recently signed Adama Traoré to help their attack. Adding Zalewski would cost a lot of money. The board might not want to spend that much even after selling Paquetá.

In reality, the clubs may find this transfer hard to pull off. Atalanta don’t have to sell. Plus, West Ham’s low league position make it hard to convince top players to join. Unless the Hammers come in with a huge offer right now, Nuno might have to stick with his current squad to try and stay in the Premier League.