It is not often that players get two chances to join Manchester City, but Lucas Paqueta could well be a special case.
Everything was heading towards a transfer last summer before a Football Association investigation was launched into allegations of betting rule breaches by the Brazilian, but City have him in their sights again.
West Ham are at risk of losing the 26-year-old this summer as an £85million ($106.8m) release clause becomes active in June.
City have seen plenty of transfers fall through over the years and it is generally the case that they move on to somebody else the year after, if the initial target has not already gone elsewhere: after missing out on Harry Kane in 2021, they signed Erling Haaland in 2022, for example.
But they have been impressed by Paqueta since his Lyon days and have maintained contact with his camp in recent months. Personal terms are also not expected to be a problem as City is Paqueta’s first choice — and a move has progressed well since last summer.
A move to City for Paqueta fell through last summer (Ben Stansall/AFP via Getty Images)
Paqueta’s firm desire is to join City, as it was last summer, but a move will only happen if he is cleared of the charges against him, and possibly if other players depart the Etihad Stadium.
Although a Brazil national team official had suggested that there were no ongoing cases against Paqueta during the previous international break, that is not the case and the investigation is still active.
Although West Ham had been reluctant to sell last summer — after rejecting an opening bid of €70million (£59.8m; $75.1m), they did not name an asking price — but City were always expecting to sign Paqueta before the allegations were made.
The investigation curtailed negotiations but if that changes, the release clause in his contract means it will be simpler for teams to sign him.
Beyond the betting investigation, it may be the case that City only move for Paqueta if one of their star men departs.
Kevin De Bruyne rejected overtures from the Saudi Pro League last summer but City are aware that things could change this time around and are making contingency plans.
The Pro League’s sporting director, Michael Emenalo — who helped Chelsea sign De Bruyne from Genk in 2012 — has maintained a good relationship with the Belgian over the years and is spearheading the league’s push, with no one particular club standing out as the likeliest destination as yet.
It is believed that Al Qadsiah, a second-tier club backed by Saudi oil company Aramco, could be interested if they are promoted to the top division as expected, but the top four clubs — Al Hilal, Al Ahli, Al Ittihad and Al Nassr, each owned by the Public Investment Fund — are likely to be deemed more suitable destinations.
City are also ready for another summer of uncertainty for Bernardo Silva, who inserted a buy-out clause into his contract before the current season started. The Portuguese has been keen on a move to Spain since 2021 and has family living in Barcelona.
Barcelona have always been keen on a move but have never made a concrete approach, while Bernardo also rejected a huge offer from a Saudi club last summer.
Paqueta’s performances for Brazil have impressed City (Pierre-Philippe Marcou/AFP via Getty Images)
Having already lost Ilkay Gundogan, Aymeric Laporte and Riyad Mahrez after winning the treble, City worked hard to renew the contracts of Bernardo and Kyle Walker, who was close to joining Bayern, but one concession for Bernardo was a buy-out clause thought to be worth around €50million, which could tempt clubs this summer.
As part of City’s planning, they have taken a look at Bayern Munich’s Jamal Musiala. Musiala’s current deal expires in 2026 and, like a number of other major clubs across Europe, City are interested. But City believe Musiala is not for sale and the current expectation is that he will sign a new deal at the Allianz Arena.
Joshua Kimmich is also on City’s radar, with his Bayern contract set to expire in 2025. A deal has already been agreed with Troyes, a fellow City Football Group club, for winger Savio (also known as Savinho), who has impressed on loan at Girona, another CFG club.
But Paqueta has emerged as a top target, having been identified as an ideal alternative for Bernardo when he first made it known that he would like to move on.
City were already impressed by Paqueta’s form at Lyon, where he played between 2020 and 2022. Some fine performances for Brazil at the 2021 Copa America, as well as his time in England with West Ham, confirmed the club’s belief that he has what it takes to play at the top level.
They see him as somebody who can play as a central playmaker and also a winger who can come inside, like Bernardo, to help control matches. There is also a belief that, with coaching, he could drop deeper in midfield and help with build-up play.
City did not move for Paqueta when he joined West Ham for around £51million in 2022 because Bernardo, despite interest from Paris Saint-Germain and Barcelona, did not leave the Etihad Stadium. Also, with Ilkay Gundogan still at the club, there was no urgency to bring in an extra player, despite their admiration.
There are still several obstacles that need to be overcome, but City are ready to get their hands on Paqueta at last.
Additional reporting: Roshane Thomas
(Top photo: Ben Stansall/AFP via Getty Images)
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