Dharmesh Sheth: Manchester City could bid for West Ham United star Lucas Paqueta in January
Dharmesh Sheth has claimed Manchester City could return with a bid to sign Lucas Paqueta from West Ham in the January transfer window after a failed effort in the summer.
The Sky Sports journalist speculated as to whether City would try to test the resolve of West Ham, with the East London club keen to hold on to their star player for the rest of the season.
Pep Guardiola was reportedly keen on bringing Paqueta to the Etihad in the summer, only for a deal to fall through due to an investigation into alleged breaches of betting rules.
Sheth was speaking to GIVEMESPORT [29 December] as he claimed: “There’s always talk about Lucas Paqueta as well. He almost went in the summer to Manchester City.
“I just wonder whether Manchester City will look again, and try and test the resolve of West Ham United to try and bring someone like Paqueta to the Etihad Stadium.”
West Ham must hold on
Despite the reported interest from Manchester City among other teams such as Newcastle United, West Ham must make sure they hang on to Paqueta for the rest of the season to keep their hopes of further success alive.
David Moyes’ team are still competing in the Europa League, having topped their group, as well as the FA Cup as hopes of silverware behind to rise again following their Conference League victory last season, while they also sit sixth in the Premier League as things stand.
If the Hammers are aiming to have another successful season, Paqueta will be the key to everything they do. His link-up play with Jarrod Bowen and Mohammed Kudus in attack will prove a deadly trio no matter who they face, and keeping them together will be key.
Whether teams revisit the Paqueta transfer in the summer will become clearer closer to the time, but for now, the Hammers must make sure they hold on to their star man through the January window.
In other West Ham news, the Hammers narrowly avoided an FFP breach in their latest financial accounts.