(Football news) Over the past two transfer windows, Paqueta and the Hammers are expected to part ways, with Manchester City reportedly showing interest in the £85 million-rated midfield player.
The Brazilian was charged by the Football Association with misbehavior in connection with purported betting violations, and as a result, the Citizens have since lost interest in him.
By purposefully receiving yellow cards in four Premier League games between November 2022 and August 2023, Paqueta is accused of having impacted the Brazilian betting market.
The 25-year-old was “extremely surprised” to be hit with the charges just over three weeks ago and it remains to be seen what the future holds for West Ham’s No.10.
West Ham more likely to sell Kudus?
Paqueta has been a standout performer for West Ham and has become a fans’ favourite along with Kudus, who joined the Hammers last summer from Ajax for around £38m.
While Paqueta contributed with eight goals and seven assists in 43 appearances across all competitions last season, Kudus recorded 18 goals and seven assists from 48 games whilst operating in a variety of attacking positions.
Kudus’s impressive form in his debut campaign for West Ham is understood to have caught the eye of a number of Premier League clubs including Liverpool, who could have another busy summer ahead of them under new boss Arne Slot.
The Reds have seemingly been handed a boost in their pursuit of Kudus, as Football Insider claims that the Ghanaian is ‘far more likely’ to leave West Ham this summer due to the uncertainty surrounding Paqueta’s betting charge.
Why have Liverpool been linked with Kudus?
Liverpool’s alleged interest in attacking targets such as Kudus comes at a time when current first-team stars have been linked with a possible exit from Anfield.
Mohamed Salah will soon be entering the final year of his Reds contract and has continuously been tipped to make a big-money move to Saudi Arabia.
In recent weeks, winger Luis Diaz has attracted interest from La Liga giants Barcelona, but the cash-strapped Catalans are unlikely to meet Liverpool’s nine-figure asking price for the Colombian.
Striker Darwin Nunez has also been linked with Barcelona just two seasons after joining Liverpool for a club-record £85m.
Also read: Chelsea announce their 1st singing under manager Enzo Maresca
