Manchester City have reportedly agreed on personal terms with the agents of Lucas Paqueta, with talks with West Ham yet to commence.
According to Santi Aouna of Foot Mercato, Manchester City have reportedly agreed on personal terms with Lucas Paqueta ahead of the summer. The Premier League champions are eager to land the 26-year-old playmaker. But despite their agreement with his agent, talks with West Ham United have yet to commence.
Manchester City agree to Lucas Paqueta’s terms
Manchester City wanted a top-draw midfielder last summer and preferred to sign Declan Rice, only for Arsenal to beat them for the England international. Immediately after, they switched their attention towards his teammate Lucas Paqueta, with the Brazilian showing the eagerness to make the switch after only one season at the London Stadium.
There was some speculation about pending betting charges on the 26-year-old playmaker, which may have forced Manchester City to abruptly pull out of the race. Pep Guardiola’s side then went on to sign Matheus Nunes from Wolves, a move that has yet to prove worthy enough for them this season.
There is a growing expectation that Manchester City will return for Paqueta this summer, with Santi Aouna insisting they have agreed on personal terms with the player’s agents. That includes salary and length of the long-term contract on offer, although talks with West Ham have yet to commence.
The Hammers are eager to double their investment in the midfielder, although they might end up accepting a reasonable bid from Manchester City in the summer. Paqueta, a player with lofty ambitions, will certainly give his go-ahead for the move after thoroughly impressing this season under David Moyes.
Guardiola keen on shaping his midfield
Paqueta has eight goals and seven assists in 36 games this season, which represents another productive season for West Ham. Manchester City are severely lacking such a presence from the midfield, with Rodri doing a lot of work outside of his required actions, and he has covered massive ground this term.
More importantly, Guardiola has wanted someone to replace Ilkay Gundogan, who left in the summer and did not manage to achieve that either with Mateo Kovacic or Nunes. Hence, the idea of Paqueta stemmed last summer. But this time around, Manchester City might get their man from West Ham.
