Sky Sports pundit delivers ‘interesting’ West Ham verdict following latest Paqueta update
Andy Brassell is not surprised Lucas Paqueta is wanted by Manchester City and believes the time might be right for West Ham to cash in.
The East London club are preparing for Paqueta’s departure [Sky Sports], but they will only sell if his valuation of around £85million is met.
Paqueta joined West Ham from Lyon for £51.3m last year and won the Europa Conference League in his debut campaign at the London Stadium.
Asked about City’s interest in the Brazil international, European football expert Brassell told Sky Sports Transfer Centre [17 August, 20:56]: “I don’t think it’s a massive surprise.
“They knew at some point Man City would come calling. Before he even went to West Ham, Man City’s people gave Paqueta a shout and said, ‘if Bernardo [Silva] goes, we’ll take him.’.
“As it happens, they’ve had an interesting season out of him – a difficult start and a very good end. They won a European trophy with him and can almost double their money. I don’t think that’s so bad.
“They would have known that if Paqueta came and played as well as he could, he wouldn’t stay forever. It’s not unreasonable to say that. West Ham have turned this into a good scenario in that they are going to make a massive profit.”
A transfer that makes sense
Paqueta proved invaluable to David Moyes last season in West Ham’s memorable European run, playing in a number of different positions in midfield and attack.
The Brazilian further highlighted his versatility last weekend when being used in a deeper position alongside Tomas Soucek for the 1-1 Premier League draw at Bournemouth.
Given the way the 25-year-old has adapted to English football, it is little wonder Pep Guardiola is eager to bring him to the Etihad Stadium before the transfer window closes.
United are under no pressure to sell after raising huge funds through the sales of Declan Rice and Gianluca Scamacca, but an offer of £85m – just short of double what West Ham paid for Paqueta – would likely be too much to turn down.
If an attack-minded replacement can be brought in – expected to be Ajax’s Mohammed Kudus – then it is a transfer that makes sense from West Ham’s point of view.
But if City play hardball and fall short of the Irons’ asking price, Paqueta will no doubt continue to put in the hard yards and cement his status as a favourite among West Ham fans.
In other West Ham news, the Irons appear to be close to finalising a deal for another player.