West Ham United braced for new Manchester City interest in Lucas Paqueta
West Ham United are braced for fresh interest from Manchester City in Lucas Paqueta during the summer transfer window, according to talkSPORT.
Writing on their website (21 February), the news outlet report that the current Premier League champions are likely to revisit their interest in the Brazil international after trying to sign him last summer.
But a deal collapsed when the midfielder was investigated by the FA for betting-related rule breaches, but with a decision yet to be made on whether he will be charged they are ready to move once again with a “big pay-rise” on the cards.
West Ham could be powerless to stop Lucas Paqueta leaving
Ultimately last summer West Ham were saved from losing Paqueta because the FA investigation put them off really pushing through with a deal, and they signed Matheus Nunes instead.
But Paqueta has shone this season for the Hammers before a calf injury, and that form is likely to see him become a target for clubs once again.
It was reported last summer that the Brazil star, who has been labelled “extraordinary” in the past, has an £85m release clause that will become active in the summer and that could leave the club powerless in negotiations.
Man City will pay up if they really want him, and after losing Declan Rice last year and then building the squad around Paqueta it would be a huge blow to see that ripped apart again.
But with the club braced for interest that will hopefully mean there are plans in place to replace him adequately if that situation does occur.
In other West Ham news, Euro giants ready to sell £16m ace as Hammers plot summer raid.
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