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Lucas Paqueta and Manchester City have reached an agreement on personal terms for a long-term contract.
Manchester City have allegedly agreed to personal terms with West Ham United midfielder Lucas Paqueta ahead of the summer transfer season.
Paqueta was linked with a big-money move to the Etihad Stadium last summer as the club prepared to be without star midfielder Kevin De Bruyne for several months due to an injury.
However, Paqueta’s anticipated trade to the Citizens fell through because the Brazilian was under investigation by FIFA and the Football Association for questionable betting activities.
Paqueta recently broke his silence on the seven-month-old probe, saying he is “happy to be helping as much as I can” and appreciates West Ham’s support.
During this time, the 26-year-old has been a standout on the pitch for David Moyes’ team, recording eight goals and seven assists in 36 games across all competitions.
Lucas Paqueta nearing to Manchester City
Man City appear to have renewed their pursuit of Paqueta, with Football Mercato, via the Daily Mail, reporting that the triple champions have reached an agreement with the midfielder on personal terms.
According to the article, the Citizens were initially ready to agree on a £70 million fee with West Ham, but that valuation is expected to be reduced given Paqueta’s strong achievements in domestic and European games this season.
Paqueta’s future remains in question as things stand, with both Manchester City and West Ham still waiting.
Paqueta’s future remains uncertain as both Manchester City and West Ham await the FA’s decision on the player’s betting case.
The Hammers will be anxious to keep Paqueta and are under no financial pressure to sell the Brazil international, who has more than three years left on his contract with the possibility of a 12-month extension.
Who might replace Paqueta at West Ham?
Man City’s pursuit of Paqueta comes as Kalvin Phillips appears increasingly unlikely to return to the Etihad and be reintegrated into Pep Guardiola’s first-team plans.
Phillips is now on loan at West Ham, but he has not performed to expectations, and sources suggest that the Hammers will not buy the midfielder permanently this summer.
If Paqueta leaves the London Stadium this summer, the England international will not be considered a like-for-like replacement, therefore Moyes and his team will have to look elsewhere in the transfer market for more attack-minded options.
West Ham have lately been linked with a bid for Arsenal’s Emile Smith Rowe, with the Gunners reportedly considering selling the 23-year-old this summer.
The Hammers have also been linked with a move for Nottingham Forest’s Morgan Gibbs-White, while Borussia Dortmund’s Marco Reus has reportedly been offered to the Premier League team.
