In a surprising turn of events, Manchester City’s ambitious move to secure Lucas Paqueta from West Ham has been put on hold due to an ongoing investigation by the FA and FIFA related to betting activities. The investigation centers around suspected bets placed in Brazil, a matter that Paqueta vehemently denies, expressing shock at the allegations.
The potential £80 million transfer deal had been nearing completion, sparking excitement among fans, but this setback has cast a cloud of uncertainty over the transfer. However, sources suggest that if the issue is swiftly resolved, the deal could still materialize.
In the meantime, Lucas Paqueta remains dedicated to his current club, West Ham, and has continued to focus on his training ahead of their upcoming match against Chelsea.
Both the FA and Manchester City have refrained from commenting on the matter, and FIFA has yet to offer any statement on the investigation.
Although the deal is currently on hold, insiders suggest that it’s not entirely off the table and could potentially be revived once the issue is resolved. West Ham manager David Moyes has confirmed the rejection of a Manchester City bid, valuing Paqueta at £85 million or potentially more.
This unexpected turn of events raises questions about West Ham’s transfer window strategy. The pursuit of Ajax midfielder Mohamed Kudus remains a possibility, independent of the Paqueta situation, as West Ham seeks to strengthen their squad before the transfer window closes.
With just two weeks remaining in the transfer window, the situation is being closely monitored by football enthusiasts and experts alike. As fans eagerly await the resolution of the investigation, the fate of Lucas Paqueta’s transfer to Manchester City hangs in the balance.
