Lucas Paqueta ready to force West Ham United exit amid ‘shock’ development
Lucas Paqueta is ready to quit West Ham United and force a move to Manchester City, according to the Daily Mail.
As reported in the newspaper’s print edition (10 August, pg 68), the Brazilian is keen on a move to the Premier League champions after they submitted a “shock” £70million bid, but West Ham are determined to keep the midfielder following the sale of Declan Rice.
Paqueta has a release clause of £85million which becomes active next summer, meaning City will have to pay David Sullivan his full asking price for the 25-year-old.
Unlikely
While Manchester City may be blessed with lots of cash, they can’t buy players unless they meet other clubs’ demands.
Following Rice’s sale, the club will not want to lose another star midfielder, especially this close to the start of the new Premier League campaign meaning Pep Guardiola’s side have an uphill battle to secure Paqueta.
As reported by Ge Globo (8 August), the Citizens placed a £70million bid for the highly-rated Brazilian which was rejected by the Hammers. City are known not to pay over their valuation for a player, so if Sullivan remains steadfast in his value of Paqueta, it is unlikely he will depart.
West Ham themselves have had a slow window. Edson Alvarez, who is expected to be the Hammers’ first summer signing, has signed his contract according to Fabrizio Romano (9 August). But Sullivan will not want to lose a midfielder as quickly as he bought one.
Paqueta has only been at the London Stadium for one season, so it is understandable that the club want to keep one of their top assets a while longer. With a reported £85million release clause available next summer, perhaps prospective clubs are better off waiting a year, as long as Paqueta stays on form this season.
He is one of the Hammers’ most valuable and best-performing players last season, making 2.98 tackles per 90 (99th percentile) and 6.16 progressive passes per 90 (94th percentile) [FBRef]. It’s clear why Guardiola wants him but just as clear why David Moyes will be reluctant to lose him.
In another chapter of West Ham’s tumultuous transfer window, Hammers fans will hope to see Paqueta in claret for at least one more season.
In other West Ham news, the Hammers could use a “special” Manchester City player in a potential Lucas Paqueta deal.