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    Pep Guardiola is eyeing a second summer acquisition, with the Premier League outfit poised to greenlight an £80 million offer from Manchester City. The club is in search of an ideal replacement for Kevin De Bruyne.

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    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.

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    Manchester United are on the brink of completing their first major signing of the summer, closing in on a deal to bring Wolverhampton Wanderers forward Matheus Cunha to Old Trafford. The Red Devils have reportedly agreed personal terms with the Brazilian attacker, who emerged as one of the standout performers in the Premier League last season. United are now expected to activate the £62.5 million release clause in Cunha’s contract, setting the stage for the transfer to be finalized by the end of next week. Sources close to the negotiations suggest that the deal is moving swiftly, and unless any unexpected setbacks arise, Cunha will become a Manchester United player very soon. This move marks a significant step for newly appointed manager Ruben Amorim, who is eager to revamp the squad after a frustrating 2024/25 season. United finished outside the top four and scored only 42 goals in the league, highlighting a glaring need for attacking reinforcements. Cunha, 25, has been a consistent performer for Wolves, known for his explosive pace, creativity, and clinical finishing. He recorded double-digit goals and assists last season, despite playing in a side that often struggled with form. What makes him particularly attractive to United is his ability to play across the front line — as a central striker, second forward, or winger. This versatility fits well into Amorim’s tactical system, which relies heavily on fluid movement, high pressing, and adaptable forward players. Bringing Cunha into the fold is also expected to benefit players like Rasmus Højlund, who showed promise last season but lacked consistent support in the final third. With Cunha’s inclusion, the attacking workload can be more evenly distributed, potentially allowing United to become more dangerous and dynamic up front. Cunha is reportedly excited about the opportunity and sees the move to Old Trafford as a major step forward in his career. The chance to play European football at a higher level, possibly in the Champions League in the near future, is said to have played a big role in his decision. However, United must still navigate financial challenges, as the club remains under the watchful eye of Profitability and Sustainability Rules (PSR). To make room for Cunha and other potential signings, the club may need to sell some high-salary players. Marcus Rashford, currently on loan at Aston Villa, and Antony, who is enjoying a resurgence at Real Betis, are both candidates for permanent exits this summer. Despite the price tag, United’s board considers the deal to be a strategic investment. Cunha’s age, Premier League experience, and technical ability make him a long-term asset with high potential returns. Fans have welcomed the news with enthusiasm, with many already imagining new attacking lineups featuring Cunha, Højlund, and Garnacho. This transfer also underlines Amorim’s growing influence at the club. Given considerable input into recruitment decisions, the Portuguese manager personally identified Cunha as a key target to shape the new era at Manchester United.

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