Manchester City are reportedly keen on reopening negotiations for West Ham midfielder Lucas Paquetá
The Citizens had initially agreed an £80 million deal for the Brazilian during the summer transfer window but the move failed to materialise following revelations that Paquetá was under investigation for alleged betting breaches.
UOL reports though that Manchester City are “determined” to get their man and will table a new offer in January, contingent on gaining clarity regarding his situation.
Pep Guardiola is believed to view Paquetá as a potential long-term successor to Kevin De Bruyne. Midfield mainstay De Bruyne, whose contract with Manchester City expires in 2025, has found himself been contending with injuries more frequently as his career has progressed, with the 32-year-old currently out with a hamstring issue.
Despite his off-field issues, Paquetá has played a pivotal role for West Ham this season, featuring in 15 appearances across all competitions. The 26-year-old found himself in the headlines for the right reasons this week, scoring the decisive goal as the Hammers secured a 1-0 victory over Olympiacos in the Europa League on Thursday.
