According to a report from Manchester Evening News, Manchester City had their sights set on Lucas Paqueta during the summer transfer window, although their interest has since subsided. When it comes to expressing a desire to join a particular club, it doesn’t get much more obvious than giving the manager you aspire to play for a warm embrace just before facing his team.
Lucas Paqueta left no room for ambiguity in conveying his intentions as he did precisely that last weekend. Prior to Manchester City’s 3-1 victory over West Ham United, the Brazilian midfielder approached the dugout to share a hug with Pep Guardiola and introduce himself to the rest of the coaching staff.
Paqueta’s Rich Run Of Form For West Ham This Season
Paqueta has been in a rich run of form for the Hammers this season as he produced several influential displays both defensively and offensively. The Brazilian talent has started in all of West Ham’s matches in the Premier League, scoring one goal and creating one assist. across five appearances.
The 26-year-old has been reliable and consistent in the middle of the park after averaging 4.2 tackles, 1.4 interceptions, 1.4 clearances, 1.4 shots and 1.4 key passes per game in the English Premier League.
However, the attacking midfielder needs to handle the ball better as he has just completed 77.1% of his attempted passes in the English top flight (stats via whoscored).
Paqueta remains bound by a contract with the East London club until the summer of 2027. Consequently, West Ham showed little inclination to consider his departure in the previous summer transfer window. Nevertheless, should City satisfy their stipulated conditions in the upcoming summer, there is a possibility that the Brazilian standout could make a transition to the Etihad.
Should Guardiola Move In For Him Again Next Summer?
Lucas Paqueta stands out as a highly talented attacking midfielder poised to ascend to the ranks of Europe’s elite. Proficient in skills like dribbling, passing, and finishing, he possesses the remarkable ability to create scoring opportunities for his teammates.
What sets Paqueta apart is his versatility, as he can effectively perform in multiple positions, whether as an attacking midfielder, central midfielder, or even as a winger. This adaptability underscores his importance to West Ham, and his potential addition to the Etihad squad would provide a similar advantage to Pep Guardiola.
With Paqueta in the mix, Manchester City might consider deploying Bernardo Silva as a right winger, a tactic that has been employed successfully during their previous treble-winning campaign. This strategic adjustment could also open up opportunities for Phil Foden in that role, while Paqueta’s presence would introduce an array of midfield possibilities alongside the talents of Kevin de Bruyne, Julian Alvarez, and the recently acquired Mateo Kovacic.
While the Sky Blues boast significant financial resources, Guardiola will still need to carefully assess the advantages of securing Paqueta for the substantial sum that West Ham is likely to demand.
