Manchester City make emphatic transfer decision on West Ham United star Lucas Paqueta
Dan Bardell believes Manchester City will turn their attention away from Lucas Paqueta due to his FA charges despite West Ham having a deal arranged ahead of the summer transfer window.
The FA announced charges for the Hammers’ star on Thursday (23 May) which but it remains unclear what his punishment will be.
Man City looked set to sign the Brazilian this summer for £85 million [Jacob Steinberg] but his charges may put Pep Guardiola’s side off this summer.
Sky Sports and talkSPORT journalist Bardell believes City will follow suit with what they did last season and look at other targets in the transfer market.
Speaking exclusively to West Ham Zone, Bardell said: “You only have to go off 12 months ago. He was going to go there and then they turned their attention to Matheus Nunes from Wolves because of the betting hanging over him.
“I can’t see how Man City do this with the charges hanging over him. It’s not like the Sandro Tonali charge, it’s alleged betting on him getting booked. I can’t see Man City coming in for him.
“It needs sorting as soon as possible. This has been rumbling on for a long while now. I just can’t see Man City coming in for him now.“
West Ham scuppered by Lucas Paqueta news
It is safe to say that Julen Lopetegui would have been keen to keep hold of Paqueta ahead of his first season in charge at the London Stadium.
With a move to the Etihad Stadium on the cards it looked like the Spaniard was going to go without the attacking midfielder next campaign.
If he was to move on at least they’d have received a healthy transfer fee which they could put towards making additions to the squad.
Now that the FA have announced these charges, it is going to be difficult to move him on but he may also miss games through suspension because of his betting.
The Hammers won’t benefit from selling him and they won’t have any benefit on the pitch because he could be banned.
The situation is far from ideal and one that has been rumbling on for well over 12 months and it looks like continuing into next season.
In other West Ham news, the wife of a Hammers player has potentially stirred up a controversy with her recent comments on social media accusing the club of bias.
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