Manchester City Keeps Tabs on Lucas Paquetá as Transfer Interest Heats Up

Manchester City’s transfer radar continues to lock in on Brazilian midfield maestro Lucas Paquetá, with fresh reports confirming that the Premier League champions are still actively monitoring the West Ham star’s situation.

According to Globo, City have already sent renewed signals to West Ham United indicating their continued interest in the dynamic midfielder, who remains high on Pep Guardiola’s wishlist. This comes after last summer’s collapsed move, reportedly due to an FA investigation into alleged betting breaches involving Paquetá — a case that has since seen little public development.

Sources close to the club say that the scouting and internal evaluations never stopped. Despite the delay and the cloud of uncertainty, Manchester City still views the Brazilian as a perfect fit for their midfield restructuring project. With Kevin De Bruyne aging and Kalvin Phillips failing to impress, City is preparing for the next generation of midfield dominance.

West Ham, for their part, are bracing for a fresh approach. While no official bid has been submitted yet, insiders at the London club acknowledge that interest is real — and growing. They’ve reportedly set a price tag of €50 million to €60 million, including performance-based bonuses and achievable clauses.

That valuation is considered steep by some City officials, especially considering the complications surrounding Paquetá’s unresolved investigation. However, the player’s form on the pitch continues to justify the investment. His blend of creativity, physicality, and work ethic has been a standout feature in West Ham’s midfield over the past two seasons.

One key advantage for City is the player’s openness to the move. It is understood that Paquetá is keen on making the step up to a Champions League-contending side, and joining the likes of fellow Brazilians Ederson and Gabriel Jesus (formerly) at the Etihad adds a cultural comfort factor.

Paquetá’s tactical flexibility also plays into Guardiola’s system. He can operate as a central midfielder, attacking midfielder, or even as a left-sided interior in a three-man setup — a level of versatility that City greatly values.

However, much will depend on the outcome of the betting probe. While there have been no charges or sanctions, the lingering uncertainty has made some top clubs cautious. Manchester City, while confident, are reportedly waiting for either formal clearance or a clear update before making an official move.

If cleared, the pursuit could move quickly. Guardiola is believed to be personally involved in the player’s evaluation, and Paquetá’s stylistic flair could be the perfect successor to Bernardo Silva or a creative partner for Phil Foden in the coming years.

With the transfer window heating up and Manchester City looking to refresh their squad after another grueling campaign, Lucas Paquetá may just become the summer’s most talked-about saga — again.

Only time will tell if this interest becomes a formal bid, but one thing is clear: Manchester City is watching closely, and Paquetá’s future could be headed to the Etihad sooner than expecte