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Manchester City 'scrap move for West Ham United midfielder Lucas Paqueta'

Man City 'scrap move for West Ham midfielder Paqueta'
© Reuters
Manchester City reportedly withdraw their interest in signing West Ham United midfielder Lucas Paqueta during the summer transfer window.

Manchester City will reportedly not be signing West Ham United midfielder Lucas Paqueta during the summer transfer window.

Earlier this month, it emerged that the Premier League champions were interested in adding the Brazil international to their squad.

Pep Guardiola has lost the creativity of Ilkay Gundogan this summer, while Kevin De Bruyne has been ruled out until the end of the year after hamstring surgery.

As a result, Paqueta has been earmarked as a priority alternative, with the 25-year-old known to be interested in making the switch to the Etihad Stadium.

However, the transfer has never gotten close to completion, with Hammers boss David Moyes initially saying that City had yet to match their valuation when asked by reporters last week.

West Ham United's Lucas Paqueta in action with Bournemouth's Ryan Christie on August 12, 2023© Reuters

Furthermore, reports emerged at the back end of last week that Paqueta was being investigated for potential breaches of betting regulations.

Bookmakers have reported an unusual number of bets being placed on Paqueta to receive a yellow card in a fixture against Aston Villa on March 12, with the player being cautioned in the 70th minute of that match.

While Paqueta strongly denies any wrongdoing or involvement, there is the potential for the process to be drawn-out, as it was with regards to Ivan Toney's recent case.

According to Sky Sports News, City have stepped away from the negotiating table having ended their interest in completing a deal.

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola pictured on July 23, 2023© Reuters

The report claims that an £80m deal had previously been agreed in principle before it became clear that Paqueta would face discussions with the Football Association and FIFA.

Paqueta, who still has four years remaining on his West Ham contract, remained in the starting lineup for Sunday's encounter against Chelsea and scored a late penalty as his team won 3-1 at the London Stadium.

Unless there are any developments with the ongoing investigation, Paqueta will remain in the team for the meeting with Brighton & Hove Albion on Saturday evening.

From City's perspective, it remains to be seen whether they will target an alternative, with a deal in the region of £55.5m having reportedly just been agreed with Rennes for winger Jeremy Doku.

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Jeremy Doku in action for Belgium in July 2021
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TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool1210112481631
2Manchester CityMan City127232217523
3Chelsea126422314922
4Arsenal126422112922
5Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton126422116522
6Tottenham HotspurSpurs1261527131419
7Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest125431513219
8Aston Villa125431919019
9Newcastle UnitedNewcastle115331311218
10Fulham125341717018
11Brentford125252222017
12Manchester UnitedMan Utd124441313016
13Bournemouth124351617-115
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham113351319-612
15Everton122551017-711
16Leicester CityLeicester122461523-810
17Wolverhampton WanderersWolves122372028-89
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