Manchester City have informed Lucas Paqueta’s agent of their condition to pursue a deal for the West Ham star ahead of the summer window.
According to TBR, Manchester City may pull out of the chase for Lucas Paqueta if his betting verdict does not come along soon enough. The Premier League giants have informed the 26-year-old Brazilian international’s agents about their condition to pursue the midfielder, which may hinge on his ongoing betting issue with the FA.
Manchester City out of Lucas Paqueta race?
Last summer, when Manchester City lost the race for Declan Rice, they immediately went after Lucas Paqueta to fill their midfield gap. The 26-year-old Brazilian international has been embroiled in a betting case which was opened by the Football Association, which ended up with Pep Guardiola’s side pulling out of the race to sign him.
The scenario could repeat once again with Manchester City linked with Paqueta once again ahead of the summer. Guardiola likes the 26-year-old and feels he would fit into their plans well, but the club has informed the Brazilian’s agents that they will only pursue a deal once the FA clears him of the betting case.
Paqueta is ready to leave the Hammers in the summer, and he was widely expected to push for a move to Man City. However, the report states Guardiola’s side’s wishes and insists should the FA keep delaying a verdict in the betting case, the 26-year-old Brazilian international’s agents might even pursue legal action for a loss of earnings against the governing body.
Should Manchester City move away from their pursuit of the midfielder, it could pave the way for others to enter the chase. Manchester United are reportedly interested and could match their local rivals from a financial standpoint to lure the West Ham star to Old Trafford. At the same time, there could be other teams chasing the Brazilian in the summer.
Manchester City to target Eberechi Eze as an alternative to Paqueta?
The reason why Manchester City are so interested in Paqueta is because of his output. Guardiola wanted a midfielder that could match the numbers and impact of departed star Ilkay Gundoga, which is why he wanted Rice and then Paqueta. Now, with the move for the latter hanging in the balance, he could pursue Eberechi Eze.
Eze has drawn plenty of interest with rumours suggesting he could leave Crystal Palace in the close season. Manchester City had shown interest last season, but they might pursue him rather seriously this summer, with Tottenham considered a rival for the Palace star’s signature.
