Sources close to Lucas Paqueta indicate major Manchester City transfer belief

While a transfer for Lucas Paqueta to Manchester City may be off the table this summer, new reports have indicated a fresh belief from sources close to the midfielder.

Etihad Stadium transfer chiefs had highlighted the 25-year-old midfielder as their number one priority for the midfield position at the club earlier this month, entering into a serious of negotiations and maintaining an open dialogue with those at the London Stadium.

West Ham, who had already sanctioned a £105 million sale of club captain Declan Rice to Arsenal, stood firm on the valuation of Paqueta’s release clause – an £85 million sum that Manchester City were seemingly unwilling to meet.

However, when a breakthrough in talks is understood to have been found, a damning block in talks emerged concerning the player and an ongoing investigation into betting allegations, forcing City into an immediate u-turn in their pursuit.

Now, it is claimed that while a deal may not happen during the final few days of the ongoing summer transfer window, a move for the former Olympique Lyonnais man could happen in the coming months.

That is according to the information of Sky Sports, quoting sources close to the West Ham United midfielder, who state there is a belief that the Brazil international’s move to Manchester City could still happen but in the next January transfer window.

It is further highlighted that an £80 million deal had been agreed in principle between West Ham and last season’s Premier League champions, however a deal is now ‘completely off’ after it emerged that the player was the subject of a betting investigation by both FIFA and the FA.

For the time being, Manchester City are firmly turning their attentions to alternative targets in the summer transfer window, and on Wednesday two fresh names from within the Premier League emerged as player’s of interest and profiles that feature on a small shortlist.

One report has indicated that City hold an admiration for Crystal Palace’s Eberechi Eze, and are currently weighing up whether to firm up their interest in the player through conversation with Selhurst Park officials. The 25-year-old is understood to be valued at north of £70 million.

Elsewhere, and it is also suggested that Manchester City have Wolverhampton Wanderers and Portugal midfielder Matheus Nunes high up on their shortlist – another name that is expected to be deemed ‘not for sale’ by his existing club.

Speaking last year, when Manchester City faced Nunes’ former club Sporting in the UEFA Champions League, Pep Guardiola said, “Matheus Nunes is one of the best players in the world today.”