Manchester City deal to sign West Ham United star Lucas Paqueta cancelled over ‘confidential’ issues
Manchester City’s move to sign Lucas Paqueta from West Ham United is “off”, according to Alan Nixon.
The Sun journalist reported via Patreon on Friday (18 August) that while the reasons behind the deal collapsing are “cloaked in secrecy”, both clubs are moving on knowing that Paqueta, 25, is likely to remain at the London Stadium.
Man City reportedly offered £60million for the Brazil international and were expected to raise their bid.
However, Nixon claims that “top insiders” reveal that there are “confidential” issues that stop Man City from going further.
Is Paqueta leaving West Ham?
It’s hard to say because the fact that Man City are no longer signing Paqueta, doesn’t mean that other clubs won’t come in for him.
However, that seems unlikely given how much money the Hammers were demanding for the former Lyon midfielder.
Not many clubs will be able to afford what the Irons demand for Paqueta so Man City backing out of a transfer suggests that there’s no one else who’d be willing to stump up the funds.
It was always a bit of an odd deal anyway.
While Paqueta did grow into his role at the London Stadium to help West Ham avoid relegation and win the Europa Conference League, there was little to suggest that he’d be good enough to leave us and join Man City this summer.
We’re glad he hasn’t anyway and there’s no doubt that David Moyes is also punching the air in his office on Friday morning amid news that Man City are no longer pursuing what is now arguably his most valuable player.
In other West Ham news, a Sky Sports pundit was wowed by transfer news revealed live on air by Dharmesh Sheth.