While Lucas Paqueta is still desired by Manchester City, Aston Villa has also entered the race to get the West Ham United star, and trade source Dean Jones has stated to GIVEMESPORT that it will be “a hard deal to execute.”
Although the Hammers agreed to pay Kalvin Phillips’ entire salary and a loan fee, the Sky Blues and the East Londoners had a successful negotiation in January.
However, in the upcoming months, the Spanish tactician has set his sights on raiding David Moyes’ squad.
After completing a £51 million transfer from Lyon in August 2022, Paqueta became the most expensive acquisition in West Ham’s history.
Manchester City is keeping a close eye on him as they make preparations for the summer window’s opening for business.
Target Paqueta, due to concerns, would finalize the Sky Blues’ departure.
Manchester City has identified Paqueta as a possible replacement for Bernardo Silva, the Telegraph reports, and they may step up their pursuit if the Portugal international departs the reigning Premier League champions before the 2024–25 season begins.
According to the source, Guardiola had his eye on West Ham’s talisman when he moved to England for the first time in his career.
since then, the interest has reportedly remained after the player contributed over 25 goals while he was in the capital.
Paqueta would be a perfect replacement for Silva, who has been linked to Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain, and wealthy Saudi Pro League clubs in recent months.
As a result, Manchester City has made plans in advance of Silva possibly calling it a day in his Sky Blues career.
Although the Football Association launched a betting investigation against Paqueta early in the season, Manchester City withdrew from an £80 million bid to buy him, prompting Guardiola to focus elsewhere.
Despite this, their enthusiasm for Paqueta has persisted throughout the campaign.
Reputable reporter Jones recently revealed to GIVEMESPORT that the Brazilian might play a significant role in West Ham manager Moyes’s attempts to keep his job.
The Brazilian missed several games after getting hurt in the FA Cup third-round match against Bristol City in January, but he was able to return to the starting lineup against Brentford earlier this week.
However, it has surfaced that Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspur, Aston Villa, and Manchester United are ready to make bids if the Football Association does not take any action when their betting investigation is over.
This means that Manchester City is not the only team keen to go for Paqueta.
Although teammate Tomas Soucek has called Paqueta “unbelievable,” Jones thinks that joining Aston Villa wouldn’t be a bad idea for the playmaker.
Jones also thinks that if Paqueta leaves West Ham before the 2024–2025 season, Guardiola will likely continue to monitor his situation before making a move.
However, the respected reporter believes that the Premier League champions may have trouble convincing the £150,000-a-week worker to leave his present employers because the Europa League champions from the previous season won’t consider cashing in unless a sizable offer is made.
