Manchester City may look to sign 27-year-old Brazilian international Lucas Paqueta from West Ham United in the summer transfer window.

According to a report by Graeme Bailey on TBR Football, Lucas Paqueta remains the subject of interest from Manchester City. The Citizens have previously attempted to sign the West Ham United playmaker two years ago, and they came close to sealing a deal worth £80 million before he fell into a spot-fixing scandal.

However, the FA will officially clear the Paqueta native of the charges in the coming days, allowing him and West Ham much-needed relief. Meanwhile, the Hammers are ready to cash in on the player in the summer transfer window to balance their books and fund upcoming moves after reluctantly letting Mohammed Kudus join Tottenham Hotspur.

Lucas Paqueta and his rollercoaster ride

Lucas Paqueta has endured a topsy turvy ride since joining West Ham United from Lyon in a deal worth around £51 million in August 2022. The 27-year-old playmaker hit the ground running at the East London club, and he has been an asset for them for most his stint at the London Stadium.

However, a spot-fixing scandal rocked his career in the Premier League, and he has blown hot and cold in the last two years. Paqueta has turned out 120 times thus far for West Ham United while chipping in with 18 goals and 14 assists. Meanwhile, the controversy will officially end soon, with the FA set to clear him of the charges.

What next?

The latest report has revealed that Lucas Paqueta remains a target for Manchester City. The Citizens hold a long-standing interest in the Brazilian international, having come close to securing his services in a deal worth around £80 million nearly two years ago. However, the move halted after the spot-fixing scandal emerged.

Widespread reports have regularly linked Manchester City with Paqueta since then, and the interest has not waned. While the Premier League bigwigs have signed Rayan Cherki from Lyon, Pep Guardiola wants more firepower in the final third.

Paqueta is thus a viable target for Manchester City, and they will have a handy chance of landing him, as West Ham United will likely sanction his exit in the summer transfer window. It will be interesting to see if the 27-year-old Brazilian international finally moves to the Etihad this summer.