According to reports, Manchester City have reached an agreement on personal terms with West Ham United midfielder Lucas Paqueta in anticipation of the upcoming summer transfer window.
Last summer, Paqueta was strongly linked with a high-value transfer to the Etihad Stadium, as Manchester City sought to navigate through the absence of star playmaker Kevin De Bruyne, who was sidelined due to injury for several months.
Paqueta’s Resilience: Navigating Investigation While Excelling on the Field
However, last summer, Paqueta’s anticipated move to Manchester City did not come to fruition. The Brazilian midfielder was the focus of a FIFA and Football Association investigation regarding suspicious betting activity.
Recently, Paqueta addressed the ongoing investigation, which commenced seven months ago, expressing his gratitude for the support received from West Ham and stating, “I am happy to be helping as much as I can.”
Throughout this period, the 26-year-old has excelled on the field for David Moyes’s team, tallying eight goals and seven assists in 36 appearances across all competitions.
Manchester City’s Renewed Pursuit of Lucas Paqueta Amid Uncertain Future
Manchester City have intensified their pursuit of Paqueta, with reports suggesting that they have revived their interest in the midfielder. According to Football Mercato, via the Daily Mail, the treble-winning side has come to terms with Paqueta on personal terms.
Initially, City had been progressing towards agreeing on a £70m transfer fee with West Ham. However, Paqueta’s stellar performances in both domestic and European competitions this season have prompted a reassessment of his valuation.
Despite the renewed interest from Manchester City, Paqueta’s future remains uncertain due to the ongoing FA investigation into his betting activities. Both Manchester City and West Ham are eagerly awaiting the FA’s verdict.
West Ham is determined to retain Paqueta and is not under any financial pressure to sell the Brazilian international. He still has more than three years left on his current contract, with the possibility of a 12-month extension.
West Ham’s Search for Paqueta’s Successor: Exploring Transfer Market Options
In the event of Paqueta’s departure from West Ham, the club may need to explore options for his replacement. While Kalvin Phillips, currently on loan at West Ham from Manchester City, was initially seen as a potential successor, it appears unlikely that he will be permanently integrated into Pep Guardiola’s plans.
With Phillips not fulfilling expectations during his loan spell, West Ham might seek more attack-minded alternatives in the transfer market. One potential candidate is Arsenal’s Emile Smith Rowe, as reports suggest that Arsenal may be open to selling the 23-year-old midfielder this summer.
Additionally, West Ham has been linked with interest in Nottingham Forest’s Morgan Gibbs-White. The young midfielder could offer creativity and dynamism to the Hammers’ midfield if acquired.
Furthermore, there have been rumors of Borussia Dortmund’s Marco Reus being offered to West Ham. While Reus would represent a more experienced option, his potential transfer would depend on various factors, including his willingness to join the Premier League club and the financial aspects of the deal.
Ultimately, West Ham’s pursuit of a replacement for Paqueta will likely depend on their assessment of available options in the transfer market and their strategic objectives for strengthening the squad.
