Manchester CitysigningWest Ham Unitedand Brazil midfielder Lucas Paqueta could unlock ‘something special’ at the Manchester-based club, though transfer insiderDean Jonesis surprised at the timing of their interest.
The 42-cap Brazil international registered12 goal involvementsacross all competitions for the Hammers in 2022/23 and, therefore, has piqued interest from Pep Guardiola and co.
ManchesterCitytransfer news – Lucas Paqueta
Last summer, West Ham signed the Brazilian for a£50mfee and quickly became one of the east Londoners’ shining lights in their Europa Conference League-winning campaign.
Fabrizio Romanotold his Twitter followers that City’s opening proposal worth £70m was snubbed but the Italian journalist claimed that an improved offer will be tabled in due course.
According totalkSPORT, Guardiola will have to fork out £95m to snare a Ԁєɑł thanks to his exploits in their iconic triumph in Europe.
Just 20 days after that victory, however, Paqueta raised some eyebrows with his comments about three clubs he would dream of like to play for during his playing career.
“I don’t intєɴԀ to leave [West Ham] but it’s clear that we dream of playing since we were little; Real Madrid,Manchester City, Barcelona, these bigger clubs we dream of playing for.” the midfielder toldPod Delasin an interview.
ɾєρօɾτs suggest that Hammers boss David Moyes believes that the club will find it difficult to retain the playmaker.
“There’s a price on everybody’s head,” said the Scottish boss (viatalkSPORT). “We have had news on Lucas [Paqueta], but not anything to make our heads wobble.”
What did Dean Jones say aboutManchester Cityand Lucas Paqueta?
On the 25-year-old, Jones has suggested that his current employers are already scouring the market for a worthy successor, despite not having sold him as things stand.
The transfer insider insisted he could be the perfect back-up toKevin De Bruyneshould the Belgian gem be unavailable for whatever ɾєɑȿօɴ.
Speaking exclusively to GIVEMESPORT, he said:”West Ham are already starting to look at a replacement for Lucas Paqueta themselves. So, we’ll have to see, I think it’s a surprise one as I would never have had Paqueta to become aManchester Cityplayer at this moment. Further down the road, maybe, but not quite this soon.
“But clearly Pep Guardiola has identified something in him that could unlock something special in thisManchester Cityteam. And as an alternative toKevin De Bruyneor whenever he’s out injured, it might give them something special.
What next for Manchester City?
In order to alleviate the loss of Riyad Mahrez, journalist Rudy Galetti recentlytold GIVEMESPORTthat there is a quartet of players on theManchester Cityshortlist.
Jeremy Doku, Raphinha, Michael Olise and Nico Williams are the names that Guardiola has eyed as potential replacements for his former blistering Algerian, though it is a move for Doku that seems the furthest along.
According toManchester Evening News, the treble-winners have begun to work on a Ԁєɑł for Doku, though will have to fork out £45m to secure the 21-year-old’s signature, perESPN.
