The Citizens of Manchester have been presented with a chance to finalize a prolonged pursuit of a prominent player in the English top division.
The Sky Blues commenced the summer period by securing agreements for individuals like Tijjani Reijnders, Rayan Cherki, and Rayan Ait-Nouri, with the intention of participating in the Club World Cup held in the United States. However, subsequent to their elimination from the aforementioned competition the previous month, their acquisitions have been limited to the promising young midfielder Sverre Nypan and goalkeeper James Trafford.
Given that Pep Guardiola is still facing some uncertainties concerning his squad – notably in the defensive and midfield areas – it is within the realm of possibility that Manchester City will undertake another significant transfer before the closure of the trading period.
Manchester City’s expenditure during the summer could surpass £200 million with the inclusion of yet another high-profile player
City have engaged in a comprehensive overhaul this summer, with various departures still to be determined, as individuals like Vitor Reis and Claudio Echeverri approach potential loan agreements, and seasoned players Ederson and Ilkay Gundogan are continuously associated with prospective transfers away from the club.
Despite the significant expenditure, questions persist regarding the composition of the defensive and midfield units. There is uncertainty surrounding Guardiola’s preferred defensive lineup, as well as the strategy for substituting Kevin De Bruyne’s contributions and reintegrating Rodri, the 2024 Ballon d’Or recipient, into the team following his recuperation from an ACL injury sustained last season.
According to information obtained from Globo Brazil, as reported by Sport Witness, West Ham United have diminished the valuation they previously held for Lucas Paqueta a couple of years prior.
In August of the preceding year, Paqueta’s prospective transfer to the Etihad Stadium, valued at £100 million, was terminated due to investigations initiated by both the Football Association and FIFA concerning alleged infractions of betting regulations. Consequently, City opted to acquire Matheus Nunes, a prominent player from Wolverhampton Wanderers.
The Brazilian player has recently been exonerated from the accusations, and West Ham is reportedly “amenable to renewed interest,” as indicated by Sport Witness. They are seeking a transfer fee between £50 million and £60 million for the individual occupying the number 10 position, who was responsible for providing the assist for Jarrod Bowen’s decisive goal in the Conference League final in 2023.
Despite the opportunity to secure the services of a player highly regarded by Guardiola, sources within FourFourTwo suggest that City have shifted their focus and are currently exhibiting less enthusiasm for pursuing a transaction.
There has been a shift in recruitment at City, with Hugo Viana succeeding Txiki Begiristain behind the scenes. Begiristain officially departed from his position as Director of Football this week. Given that Reijnders, Cherki, Phil Foden, and Omar Marmoush are all potential candidates for the most advanced midfield role under Guardiola’s management, it appears improbable that he will pursue another playmaker at this juncture of the transfer window without a significant player departure.
Paqueta’s estimated value is €28 million, according to Transfermarkt.
