Manchester City are likely to capitalize on Lucas Paqueta’s desire to leave West Ham United this summer as long as the Football Association withdraws its investigation into alleged betting irregularities before the transfer window closes.
It is understood Paqueta’s contract contains an £85m release clause, which comes into effect in June, and he is keen to find a new challenge after spending two seasons at the London Stadium. The Brazil international was close to joining Manchester City last summer, but the transfer fell through following an FA investigation into suspicious betting activity, and Guardiola has not given up on his interest in the playmaker.
The FA has remained silent on the timetable for the investigation, despite repeated hints that a solution is being worked on. Paqueta denies wrongdoing and is said to be shocked by the allegations relating to yellow cards he received. Last October, he opened up his cell phone to investigators.
Manchester City may have vacancies in midfield amid doubts over the futures of Kevin De Bruyne and Bernardo Silva. De Bruyne has been linked with a move to the Saudi Arabian Professional League and Silva has been a target for Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain in recent years. City may need to rejuvenate their squad and West Ham would be hard-pressed to turn down Paqueta’s chance to play for Guardiola.
Paqueta has played a variety of roles since joining West Ham from Lyon for £51m. David Moyes has primarily deployed him as a No. 10 or on the left wing, but the 26-year-old is capable of playing in a deeper midfield role. He returned to the Brazil squad last month and his creativity shone in the win over England at Wembley.
West Ham United played a cautious style under Moyes on Thursday, while Paqueta was impressive in their 2-0 Europa League quarter-final first leg loss to Bayer Leverkusen on Thursday. Frustrated. He was booked for a temper tantrum after losing possession early in the game and was suspended for the second leg the following week. West Ham have also lost Emerson Palmieri to a one-match ban, but they are just one shot ahead of Bayer Leverkusen on 33 points and have been heavily reliant on Paqueta’s services this season. invention.
If the FA drops its investigation, the club will reap huge profits from Paqueta. West Ham United are set to refresh their squad with a big-money sale after a lack of depth was exposed against Bayer Leverkusen. Edson Alvarez is suspended and Jarrod Bowen is out with a back injury. Bowen will be unavailable for Sunday’s home game against Fulham and could miss the game against Bayer Leverkusen.
It could be a summer of change for West Ham United, who are yet to decide whether to renew Moyes’ contract. The Scot’s contract expires at the end of the season and there have been calls to replace him with a more attacking manager.
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West Ham are seventh in the Premier League and are seeking a fourth season in European football. But a lack of transfer activity in January, coupled with the departures of Said Benrahma, Pablo Fornals and Thilo Kehrer, means Moyes has been short of replacements for injured players.
