One of last year’s biggest transfer sagas is set to be reignited, as Manchester City are reportedly planning to make a new move for West Ham United’s star midfielder, Lucas Paquetá.
This renewed interest comes immediately after the Brazilian international was officially cleared of the betting offences that caused his proposed nine-figure move to the Etihad Stadium to dramatically collapse in the summer of 2024. With the player’s name now cleared of any wrongdoing, the path is once again open for a transfer to proceed.
According to the Brazilian outlet Globo Esporte, a deal could now be struck between the two Premier League clubs for a fee in the region of £50 million to £60 million. While this is a significant fee, it is one that City are more than capable of paying for a top-priority target.
Paquetá’s elite creativity, flair, and versatility make him an ideal player for Pep Guardiola’s demanding system. He is widely seen as a potential long-term successor to the likes of Kevin De Bruyne and could also fill the creative void that will be left by Bernardo Silva, who is expected to depart on a free transfer next summer.
While West Ham would undoubtedly be reluctant to lose their best player, they have always been aware of City’s long-standing interest. A fee of up to £60 million would represent a huge profit on the player and would be a difficult offer for the London club to turn down, as it would allow for significant reinvestment in their squad.
With the major legal obstacle now removed, Manchester City are expected to formalize their interest in Lucas Paquetá in what could become one of the biggest Premier League deals of the summer.