- West Ham United are in the Premier League relegation zone
- A decade ago, Dimitri Payet departed Marseille and spearheaded the Hammers to a seventh-place league finish and FA Cup quarters
- Pablo Pagis wants to leave Lorient
If there is one thing that West Ham United’s dismal season has exposed, it is the club’s need for a maverick.
The Hammers’ position in the relegation zone is an evident indictment of a combination of factors, from lacklustre board operations to constant coaching churn, but it’s a clear talent deficit that has been lacking in the crucial part of the run-in.
A decade on from the West Ham faithful enjoying the mercurial displays of Dimitri Payet in the 2015-16 season, there have been very few players who have been able to hold a candle to the Frenchman’s penchant for the inventive that fired the Hammers to a seventh-place league finish and FA Cup quarters.
Jarrod Bowen has carried much of the Iron’s offensive production, with 18 goal involvements from West Ham’s 42 Premier League goals, accounting for 43% of Nuno Espírito Santo’s side’s league tally. Winter additions Pablo and Valentín Castellanos have underwhelmed, while Crysencio Summerville’s form has fluctuated.
Regardless of the east London club’s end-of-season status, there should be a desire to inject some fresh personality into their frontline. The latest wantaway Ligue 1 talent could provide the ideal candidate.
Lorient’s Pablo Pagis should be on West Ham’s wishlist
Speaking to French newspaper Ouest-France, Pablo Pagis confirmed his desire to leave Ligue 1 side Lorient. “I think the time is right,” the 23-year-old playmaker stated when asked about a potential summer move.
Pagis has emerged as a talismanic figure in Les Merlus’ unexpected push for a top-half finish after securing promotion to France’s first division last year.
In early 2026, Bournemouth owner Bill Foley completed the full takeover of Lorient, uniting the two clubs into a multi-club structure. The collaboration was seen in the transfer of Eli Junior Kroupi from Lorient to the Premier League side in February 2025, staying for the rest of the season to spearhead the club to promotion.
Despite Kroupi’s departure last summer, Olivier Pantaloni’s side have remained competitive, with Pagis’ 15 contributions proving vital in a season in which they threatened to qualify for Europe at one point. The Montbéliard-born combines ingenuity with an innate ability to produce finishes in tight angles.
Like Payet with Marseille, Pagis could look to cash in on his breakthrough campaign with a move. Lorient’s No.10 has stated “a preference for Ligue 1” for his future destination, but also said, “If there are foreign clubs playing at the top level who show interest in me, why not?”
French clubs RC Lens, Stade Rennais, Olympique Lyonnais and Paris FC have all shown an interest in Pagis, but the rumoured €25 million price tag could be a deciding factor in his destination.
The move for Payet was an ambitious capture that hinged on getting ahead of the competition. The same manoeuvre will be needed to get Pagis, but it’s inarguable to debate that it wouldn’t be worth it based on this season’s evidence.
