Manchester City may reignite their interest in West Ham midfielder Lucas Paqueta this summer if the ongoing investigation into his transfer situation yields positive results.
Last summer, the two clubs had agreed to an £80 million deal for the 26-year-old’s transfer to Manchester City from West Ham.
The proposed move was halted due to a probe initiated by the FA and FIFA regarding illegal bets made in Brazil.
Paqueta, who joined West Ham from Lyon for a club-record fee of £51 million in 2022, played a pivotal role in the club’s success, including their UEFA Europa Conference League triumph last season.
Despite his current injury setback, Paqueta has contributed significantly to West Ham’s Premier League campaign this season, assisting in seven goals in 18 appearances.
Last season, Paqueta was instrumental in setting up 12 goals for David Moyes’ team in 41 games, and there are expectations that he could surpass that tally this season.
Manchester City could potentially reignite their interest in Paqueta if he continues to deliver impressive performances.
The Sky Blues have been linked with several midfield targets and are expected to bolster their midfield during the upcoming summer transfer window.
A recent report from Football Insider suggests that West Ham would be inclined to accept a deal from Manchester City for Paqueta this summer, contingent upon Pep Guardiola’s interest in the 28-year-old.
The final decision may depend on the outcome of the ongoing investigation into suspected betting violations, with West Ham awaiting the conclusion of the probe.
City remains keen on securing the services of the Brazilian midfielder, and West Ham is unlikely to impede the transfer if Manchester City offers a sufficient sum to surpass their valuation of Paqueta.
There’s also speculation that Kalvin Phillips, the England midfielder who recently departed Manchester City and is currently on loan at West Ham, could be included in a potential trade deal.
Additionally, City has been linked with other midfield targets, including Bayern Munich defender Joshua Kimmich. Furthermore, the impending acquisition of Savio, another Brazilian player from the City Football Group, indicates the club’s intentions to reinforce their midfield options ahead of the upcoming season.