After losing Ilkay Gundogan to FC Barcelona in the summer transfer window, Manchester City coach Pep Guardiola has had his eyes on West Ham United’s Lucas Paqueta. City has enjoyed the best season in the history of the club this year, as Pep led the team to win the UEFA Champions League for the first time in their history, and further secured the treble becoming the second manager to do so after Sir Alex Ferguson.
Man City were looking for a new midfielder after the loss of the German, and Lucas Paqueta seemed to fit the role perfectly. The club agreed to offer 60 million Euros for the Brazillian, but as fate would have it, the transfer had to be delayed due to some controversial accusations.
Lucas Paqueta’s City transfer on hold
Lucas Paqueta was all set for a debut at Manchester City this season but the transfer has not happened yet. City was onboard to sign him for an amount of 60 million euros, but West Ham United was not going to let him go so easily. After losing their star midfielder Declan Rice to Arsenal, it is understandable that they don’t want to let go of Paqueta easily. Though in the beginning the signing was delayed due to a fee issue, things are different now.
Lucas Paqueta, the man who helped his club win the Europa Conference League this season is facing a minor roadblock in his career. Though the Brazilian is still allowed to play for his club he was left off the squad by coach Fernando Diniz in the South American Qualifiers for FIFA World Cup 2026.
“It’s a matter of preservation, of letting him resolve these issues, which go beyond football, and keeping him at ease to work on this matter. This is a situation (illegal betting) that we also have here in Brazil and it takes time for things to settle down and clarify,” Diniz said.
Paqueta under microscope in betting allegations
Since the allegations have surfaced Lucas Paqueta has denied all of them. He claims that he has “no idea” about any of this and is shocked as everyone else. FA and FIFA are on a thorough investigation regarding the bets made under his name in Brazil. The same thing happened to player Ivan Toney who faced a ban of 8 months after being found guilty of breaking FA rule E8.
The FA rule E8 forbids any registered player to take part in any kind of betting related to the matches. The players are disallowed from placing any bets not only on the matches that are being played but any other issue related to football. This includes transfers, managerial appointments, sacking, etc. Paqueta refuses to have any part in the bets made under his name but the final verdict from FIFA remains pending.
The new revelations about Lucas Paqueta have forced Manchester City to review other options. After İlkay Gündoğan’s transfer and Kevin De Bruyne’s hamstring Injury, the club desperately needs a midfielder. Other names such as Mohammed Kudus have come forward, “Even before Man City approached West Ham for Paqueta, the interest in Kudus was already there.”, said Dharmesh Sheth on the Transfer Show.
Do you think Manchester City will be able to complete the signing? Make sure to let us know in the comments.
