Journalist Ben Jacobs has claimed that Manchester City’s interest in Lucas Paqueta could force West Ham United to sell the midfielder this summer.
Earlier this week, it was reported that City are looking to sign the Brazilian and have had a £70m offer knocked back by the east London club, but still remain keen on landing a deal for the player.
Now though, one journalist has shared some extra behind-the-scenes details on this particular transfer story.
Journalist says West Ham could be forced to sell Paqueta
Speaking in a recent edition of the Fully Loaded Transfer Show, Jacobs had this to say on the matter.
He said: “The feeling is that City are going for Paqueta and also with Paqueta, the player wants the move so West Ham may be forced in the end to do that deal even though Paqueta went on social media and said he’s happy at West Ham, I think his head will be turned by Manchester City.”
The Hammers signed the 25-year-old last summer for a club-record fee of £51m and then went on to see the midfielder score five goals and provide seven assists in 39 appearances across the Premier League and the Europa Conference League.
Bearing in mind how City won the treble last season and the Hammers only managed to finish in 14th place, it’s easy to see why the Brazil international would want to make a move up north to the Etihad Stadium and play for Pep Guardiola, even though West Ham won the Europa Conference League last season.
Moving forward, if the Hammers do end up being forced to sell their star midfielder this summer due to his eagerness to join City, this could benefit the Manchester club in terms of not having to pay what they feel may be more than they want to.
