The ship has likely sailed on a Manchester City move for a West Ham midfielder | OneFootball

One player who appeared on the verge of joining Manchester City in the summer of 2023 was West Ham midfielder Lucas Paqueta. The Brazilian international was seemingly poised to become a member of Pep Guardiola’s squad. But an FA investigation regarding alleged involvement in betting breaches scuppered the move. Now that Lucas Paqueta has been cleared by the FA of any wrongdoing, Manchester City have once again been linked with a move for Lucas Paqueta. But unfortunately, it seems that the ship has sailed on Lucas Paqueta joining City.

Manchester City have been linked with a summer move for Lucas Paqueta.

Graeme Bailey reports for TBR Football that Lucas Paqueta has been cleared of all charges in the FA’s betting investigation. Furthermore, Graeme Bailey reports that Manchester City remain huge admirers of the Brazilian midfielder. Bailey reports that if City did return to sign Lucas Paqueta they’d likely only pay half of the £80 million transfer fee they had previously agreed to sign the Brazilian international.

There is little to no chance that Manchester City will move for Lucas Paqueta.

Unfortunately for Lucas Paqueta the betting investigation he was embroiled in ended his chances of signing for Manchester City. The fact that the investigation has rumbled away for two years has likely ended any chance of City returning for the West Ham midfielder. Too much time has passed. City has moved on and signed other players. Nico, Tijjani Reijnders and Rayan Cherki all play in the position that Lucas Paqueta would likely play for Pep Guardiola’s side. Then, when you factor in Rodri, Mateo Kovacic, Ilkay Gundogan and Bernardo Silva, there is no room for Lucas Paqueta at Manchester City.

Back in 2023, there was seemingly a defined role in the City squad for Lucas Paqueta. Now there isn’t. It is as simple as that. City have moved on and it is unlikely that they will sign another midfielder this summer. They don’t need another creative midfielder like Lucas Paqueta. Although at his best Paqueta is a quality player. His technical ability and work rate would add something different to City’s midfield. But he likely isn’t an improvement on what City already have. So there is seemingly little chance of City returning to sign Lucas Paqueta from West Ham.

Unfortunately for Lucas Paqueta, the betting investigation that surrounded him ended his chances of signing for Manchester City. It has dragged on for too long and while Paqueta remains a quality player on his day, Pep Guardiola’s squad simply doesn’t need another midfielder. That’s the reality of the situation.