What Manchester City think about Lucas Paqueta now after West Ham star is cleared of all charges

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TBR Football can exclusively reveal that Manchester City remain big admirers of West Ham United star Lucas Paqueta.

The Brazilian joined the Irons from Olympique Lyon in the summer of 2022, and he has produced several fantastic performances in the Premier League.

Paqueta’s displays have attracted interest from Manchester City in the past, but his off-field issues put a stop to that move back in 2023.

Now, things could change.

Exclusive: What Pep Guardiola and Manchester City think about Lucas Paqueta

TBR Football’s chief correspondent, Graeme Bailey, understands that West Ham United were informed on Friday evening of the results of an independent regulatory commission into charges brought against their midfielder, Lucas Paqueta.

Sources have confirmed to TBR that they have been told that Paqueta has been cleared of all charges.

The Football Association accused the Brazil international of gambling and being involved in intentionally picking up yellow cards in West Ham’s games against Leicester City, Leeds United, Aston Villa and Bournemouth in 2022 and 2023.

Paqueta vehemently denied the charges, and West Ham backed him throughout. Although not banned, the 27-year-old has gone through a lot since being charged.

Indeed, the charges cost him an £80 million move to Manchester City in 2023, but TBR has learned that Pep Guardiola remains a fan of the player.

West Ham’s plans now include being able to sell Paqueta as they need the funds to help rebuild their squad, having already reluctantly sold Mohammed Kudus to Tottenham.

Bailey told TBR: “West Ham are delighted but not surprised that Lucas Paqueta has been cleared. Sources have confirmed to me they were informed of the decision on Friday evening, as is the practice ahead of an official confirmation.

“Paqueta himself has been working hard in pre-season, but now, we again visit the question of where he is going to play as he is now focused on being a part of Carlo Ancelotti’s World Cup squad.

“I am told that Manchester City remain huge admirers of the player and do not rule them out coming back in, although the £80 million fee they previously agreed is likely to be more than halved if they do return.

“There is interest in the Saudi Pro League too, and the expectation, as we have previously revealed, is that Paqueta will now move on.”

What Manchester City informed Lucas Paqueta’s agents in 2024

Paqueta has been on Manchester City’s radar for two years now.

As mentioned above, Guardiola’s side worked on a move to sign him in 2023, but that move did not materialise because of the player’s issues off the pitch.

In the following summer, they were interested again, but TBR Football exclusively revealed at the time that Manchester City told Paqueta’s agents that they would not pursue a move if his then-ongoing legal issues were not resolved.

Now that the Brazil international has been cleared of all charges, it remains to be seen if City will table a bid to sign him in the coming weeks.