Lucas Paqueta has reportedly made a private plea to West Ham’s owners regarding his next move after links with Manchester City and Saudi clubs.
Man City were on the verge of signing Lucas Paqueta in an £80m deal from West Ham in August 2023.
That was until spot-fixing allegations emerged, collapsing what Paqueta has since described as a “dream move”.
Given West Ham’s claims that there is no money for signings this summer, that £80m from Man City certainly feels like a dream that has turned into a nightmare.
Paqueta’s proposed move to the Etihad was so far advanced it has even been used as evidence in the spot-fixing case which resulted in it being doomed.
Guardiola was ‘willing to wait’ for Paqueta
An investigation into yellow cards Paqueta received was announced in August 2023 – scuppering that move to Manchester City.
It has been reported on more than one occasion since that Pep Guardiola was willing to wait for Paqueta to be cleared in order for Manchester City to resurrect the move with the Hammers.
However, the case has now rumbled on for nearly two years with constant claim and counterclaim about the expected outcome.
That outcome is now due in the near future – within weeks.
Earlier this month it was suggested Man City could be one of three mystery clubs who are ‘waiting for Paqueta’ to be cleared so they can sign him from West Ham.
It would make some sense given Guardiola is looking to replace the likes of Kevin De Bruyne.
Ageing Ilkay Gundogan may also be leaving while Bernardo Silva has confirmed it will be his last season at Man City.
As revealed by Hammers News this week, West Ham are looking for at least £30m for the Brazilian magnifico if he is cleared.
Paqueta makes plea to West Ham board over future
West Ham’s owners have also confirmed Saudi clubs are showing a lot of interest in the 27-year-old.
A figure of £30m would be pocket change for Man City and most leading Saudi clubs.
A starter for Brazil when fit and firing, Paqueta certainly fits the bill for the kind of signings the Saudi Pro League wants to make.
The Hammers playmaker is also of the right age and profile to be a straight replacement for City’s experienced stars.
Now Paqueta has made a plea to West Ham’s owners over his future after the Man City and Saudi links.
The Brazilian midfielder is said to have made his stance clear behind closed doors.
The club’s owners confirmed Paqueta will be sold by West Ham if he is cleared of spot-fixing.
So all eyes will be on what Manchester City and Saudi clubs do if and when that day arrives in the coming days and weeks.
Paqueta has his own opinion on where he wants to be next season, though.
After the season finale at Ipswich, Paqueta appeared to wave goodbye to Hammers fans.
The emotional star, who burst into tears when booked against Spurs after his spot-fixing hearing had resumed, has spoken to West Ham’s owners about his next move.
Paqueta tells West Ham and Man City where he wants to be
According to The Sun, Paqueta has told the Hammers’ hierarchy he wants to return home to Brazil this summer – preferably with his boyhood club Flamengo.
Whether Man City could change his mind if they are still interested remains to be seen.
But The Sun claims West Ham sources have told them Paqueta is now ‘dreaming’ of returning to Flamengo – the club he left to embark on his football career in Europe with AC Milan, Lyon and now the Hammers.
The report states the midfielder has urged the Hammers board to try and make that move happen because he ‘needs a fresh start’ should he be cleared to continue his football career.
The claim comes after Hammers News reported that Paqueta had dropped a big hint he wants a Flamengo return when he leaves West Ham this summer.
Flamengo are a huge football club with an estimated 10 million fans.
Whether they have 30 million pounds is another matter. Although Flamengo have been known to do big money deals in the past.
Receive a digest of our best West Ham content each week direct to your mailbox
