A familiar name has been reported as a potential Manchester City transfer target but that ship may have sailed | OneFootball

One player who has consistently been linked with a potential move to Manchester City for the past two summers is West Ham midfielder Lucas Paqueta. But the subsequent betting investigation that surrounds the Brazilian international ended any chance of that deal happening. Matt Hughes reported in May of 2024 for the Daily Mail that Paqueta was charged by the FA with four counts of spot-fixing in Premier League games. From that point on it appeared that the opportunity for Paqueta to move to Manchester City had passed.

But now a new report indicates that Manchester City retains an interest in signing Lucas Paqueta. Jamie Brown has relayed a report from Graeme Bailey for TBR Football that Manchester City are keeping tabs on Lucas Paqueta’s ongoing betting case. It is also included in the TBR Football report that the hearing into Paqueta’s betting case is expected to reach a conclusion next week. It is also expected that a verdict could also be announced next week as per TBR Football’s report. As per the TBR Football report, if Paqueta is cleared in the betting investigation, Manchester City could move for the Brazilian midfielder.

Lucas Paqueta, at his best, would improve Manchester City’s squad, but he doesn’t appear to be a player they need right now.

If you look back to last summer there was an argument to be made for Manchester City signing Lucas Paqueta. He would’ve improved City’s midfield and perhaps this season could’ve panned out differently if he signed for Pep Guardiola’s side. But as we know that wasn’t to be. Looking at the situation twelve months later the situation has changed. City still needs midfielders, but Paqueta may not be the right fit.

Manchester City signed Nico at the end of the January transfer window. For now, he’s playing in the Rodri role in City’s midfield. But he does appear to be earmarked as a number eight. Nico will likely play alongside Rodri. Nico does play a similar role to what Paqueta could play in City’s midfield. Lucas Paqueta could play as a number ten. He has that in his kit bag. But it does seem that Florian Wirtz would be a better option for that role. If that move fails perhaps Villarreal playmaker Alex Baena, for example, would be a better fit. As good as Lucas Paqueta can be, he just doesn’t seem to be the player Manchester City need now.

Lucas Paqueta has once again been named as a potential target for Manchester City. But perhaps the ship has sailed on that particular move. Manchester City’s needs may be different and the arrival of Nico may see Paqueta not have a fit in Pep Guardiola’s squad.