Lucas Paqueta has heart set on quitting West Ham United amid Man City transfer news
West Ham midfielder Lucas Paqueta “still has his heart set” on joining Manchester City at the end of the season, according to Martin Blackburn.
Writing for The Sun on Sunday‘s print edition (15 October, page 75), Blackburn reported City will only consider a fresh approach if Paqueta first clears his name amid an FA betting probe.
City were close to signing Paqueta in a big-money deal in the summer transfer window, but they withdrew from talks once it emerged Paqueta was the subject of an enquiry into suspicious betting patterns.
The report adds that Paqueta has an £85million release clause that comes into force next summer, which is the amount West Ham were asking for in August.
Enjoy him
Manchester City were always likely to revive their interest in Paqueta next year, assuming that he first clears his name.
The Citizens did not bring in any other players of his ilk after ending their interest, and a long-term replacement for Kevin De Bruyne is needed.
Had it not been for the FA probe, it may well have been that the Brazil international would already have been at the Etihad Stadium.
Losing Paqueta in the summer, having also waved goodbye to Declan Rice, would have been a major blow for David Moyes.
That will still be the case should he depart at the end of the campaign, but as the Rice sale has gone to show, every player can be replaced.
The good news is that the Hammers have plenty of time to get one or two targets lined up in the knowledge Paqueta may well depart.
For now, let’s just continue to enjoy the Brazilian maestro while we have him.
In other West Ham news, a journalist has reacted to Mohammed Kudus’ “criminal” display for Ghana against Mexico.