Martin Blackburn claims that Lucas Paqueta, a midfielder for West Ham, “still has his heart set” on moving to Manchester City at the end of the current campaign.
Blackburn stated in The Sun on Sunday (15 October, page 75) that City will only entertain a new approach if Paqueta first clears his name in the wake of an FA betting investigation.
When it became known that Paqueta was the focus of an investigation into questionable betting practices, City withdrew from talks to bring in Paqueta in a high-profile transaction during the summer transfer window.
According to the report, Paqueta has an £85 million release clause that takes effect in the summer of 2019—exactly the price West Ham demanded in August.
Enjoy him
Assuming Paqueta first clears his reputation, Manchester City was always expected to rekindle their interest in him the following season.
After dropping their interest, the Citizens did not sign any other players in his mold, and Kevin De Bruyne needs to be replaced permanently.
The Brazil international might have already been at the Etihad Stadium if the FA investigation had not taken place.
Losing Paqueta in the summer after also bidding farewell to Declan Rice would have dealt David Moyes a serious blow.
That will still be the case if he leaves at the conclusion of the season, but as the sale of Ray Rice has proven, every player is replaceable.
The good news is that the Hammers have plenty of time to prepare a target or two given the possibility that Paqueta will go.
Let’s simply keep enjoying the Brazilian maestro for the time being.
