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West Ham United’s search for attacking reinforcements may not be over just yet — and one intriguing option is being talked up as a potential bargain.
Any hopes of directly replacing Lucas Paquetá in January were firmly cooled by Nuno Espírito Santo. As the Brazilian playmaker sealed his return to Flamengo, the West Ham boss made it clear that filling Paquetá’s boots is not a simple task.
Nuno stressed that Paquetá is a rare profile — a true No.10 with qualities that don’t come around often. In his view, players of that mould are almost impossible to source mid-season, effectively ruling out the idea of a straight swap before the deadline.
That stance casts doubt on claims that Paris FC’s Ilan Kebbal was being lined up as a ready-made successor. Still, that doesn’t mean the Algerian international isn’t firmly on West Ham’s radar, with reports suggesting the club could revisit a move later on. His rumoured £12 million valuation has only increased the appeal, especially given the buzz surrounding his creative flair.
Kebbal isn’t a carbon copy of Paquetá. Stylistically, he’s closer to a wide forward who loves drifting in from the right — more in the mould of Jarrod Bowen than a central orchestrator. But that versatility could be vital as West Ham reshape their attack in the post-Paquetá era.
The comparisons to Lionel Messi — however playful — stem from Kebbal’s signature move: cutting inside onto his left foot and bending efforts toward the far corner. It’s a trait that often earns smaller, nimble wingers the inevitable “club Messi” tag, but in Kebbal’s case, there’s a story behind the hype.
French outlet *Ouest France* once highlighted a 2021 clash between Reims and PSG — Messi’s debut night in France — where one observer claimed Kebbal outshone the global icon during their time on the pitch together. According to the account, the young attacker showed fearless invention, attempting the unexpected and making a serious impression.
Journalist Guillaume Laine later noted that, for a spell, data even placed Kebbal ahead of Messi in metrics like dribbles and chances created — underlining just how explosive his introduction to top-level football was.
Fast forward to now, and Kebbal has evolved beyond flashes of brilliance. He’s delivering end product consistently, racking up 12 goal contributions in 19 starts this season — a notable jump from his earlier breakthrough numbers.
Laine describes him as a player who once struggled to fit football’s physical mould but has since grown into Paris FC’s technical heartbeat. Despite standing at just 5ft 7in, he now dictates games with authority, combining close control, vision, and confidence.
Whether or not West Ham make their move soon, Kebbal represents a low-cost, high-upside option — one whose blend of creativity and cutting edge could add a new dimension to the Hammers’ frontline.
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