(Football news) After agreeing to join the Hammers from Ligue 1 Lyon in the summer of 2022, Lucas Paqueta has been an important member of the team, appearing in 75 games and tallying 12 goals. Paqueta was a member of the West Ham team that made history by winning the Europa Conference League the previous season, defeating Fiorentina of Italy in the Albanian final.
The former Flamengo attacker is expected to have a busy final few weeks of the season in East London, with Premier League spots up for grabs and a Europa League matchup against Xabi Alonso Bayer Leverkusen the following week. The midfielder is a mainstay for his nation as well; during the March international break, he gave Brazil a late equalizer against Spain.
West Ham are expecting Man City to return for the services of Paqueta following the conclusion of the 2023-24 term. David Moyes’s side will not stand in the way of a switch for the Brazil international to Pep Guardiola’s title-chasing citizens.
It is understood that Paqueta is very keen on a move to the blue side of Manchester, where he could compete for major honours surrounded by world-class teammates. Following yesterday’s goalless draw with Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal, Manchester City are third in the Premier League standings, three points behind leaders Liverpool.
Guardiola’s troops are set to face an incredibly-busy April, pitting their wits in the Champions League verus Real Madrid before facing Chelsea in the FA Cup semi-finals at Wembley.
It was widely reported that Manchester City were keen on a transfer for Paqueta last summer, and the deal was said to be quite advanced before collapsing. The Citizens and the Hammers had agreed an £80m fee in principle which would have seen the Brazilian swap the London Stadium for the Etihad ahead of the 2023-24 campaign.
However, with an FA investigation into potential betting breaches hanging over the midfielder, Guardiola’s side moved onto the acquisition of other targets. Matheus Nunes was signed by Man City from Wolverhampton Wanderers late in the summer transfer window for a £53 million fee.
The summer of 2027 marks the expiration of Paqueta’s current contract at the London Stadium, but it is rumored that West Ham may entertain an £80 million bid for the player this summer.
Also read: Manchester City face injuries after Arsenal clash
