Pep Guardiola is looking to make a second summer signing, and the Premier League club is “likely” to accept the £80 million transfer bid from Manchester City
West Ham star Lucas Paqueta could join Manchester City this summer if Pep Guardiola’s team renews their interest in the player.
Last summer, Manchester City and West Ham agreed to an £80 million deal for the 26-year-old to move from the London Stadium to the Etihad Stadium. However, a bombshell probe ruined the plans for the switch.
A big investigation into bets by the FA and FIFA stopped any possible transfer. The investigation was into bets that were made illegally in Brazil.
Paqueta can be released for £85 million in 2024. He went from Lyon to West Ham for a club-record £51 million in 2022 and helped the Hammers win the UEFA Europa Conference League last season.
The Brazilian can’t play right now because he’s hurt, but he has helped set up seven Premier League goals in 18 games this season.
Paqueta made it possible for 12 goals to be scored by David Moyes’ team in 41 games last season. He could now beat that number.
Manchester City could become interested in the midfielder again if those numbers come true. The Sky Blues have been linked with a number of targets and are expected to add to their middle during the summer transfer window.
A report from Football Insider says that West Ham are “likely” to accept a Manchester City deal for Paqueta this summer, if Pep Guardiola wants to sign the 28-year-old, but it depends on how the current investigation turns out.
West Ham will “soon” find out the result of the investigation into suspected betting violations. The investigation is said to be almost over.
City is “still keen” to sign the Brazil international this summer, and east London is “unlikely” to stand in their way if the Blues offer enough to beat the Hammers’ transfer price.
Kalvin Phillips, an England midfielder who moved away from Manchester City in January and is now on loan at the London Stadium until the end of the season, could be used in a trade deal.
Joshua Kimmich, a defender for Bayern Munich, has also been linked to City. The team is also set to sign Savio, a fellow Brazilian player from the City Football Group.
