Do all roads lead to Manchester City for a Brazilian international? | OneFootball

Do all roads lead to Manchester City for Brazilian international Lucas Paqueta this summer? The West Ham star has been heavily linked with a summer move to the world champions. While Pep Guardiola’s side is focused on the final 5 games of their season, the Manchester City hierarchy are busy making plans for what promises to be a busy summer transfer window. With that in mind, will this summer finally see Lucas Paqueta arrive at the Etihad? It isn’t as clear-cut as it appears on closer inspection.

Roshane Thomas has reported for the Athletic that Manchester City are set to reignite their interest in the Brazilian international this summer. Furthermore, Thomas reports that a summer sale of Paqueta does look on the cards for West Ham. Thomas reports that if West Ham fail to secure European football this season, a move for Paqueta may help West Ham rebuild their squad.

But does that mean all roads lead to Manchester City for Paqueta? That isn’t as clear-cut as it seems. The Brazilian international has a £85 million in his current contract, which becomes active this summer. That would make any deal for the midfielder easy to complete for Manchester City. But what is an impediment in any potential deal for Paqueta is the ongoing betting investigation into the Brazilian. It is unlikely that the world champions would spend such a sizable transfer fee on a player with that cloud hanging over their head.

READ MORE: West Ham’s Brazilian star looks like the perfect addition to Manchester City’s squad.

If the betting investigation is concluded over the summer, then the champions could move for Paqueta. As a player, he ticks a lot of boxes as a potential Manchester City player. It may also depend on what players leave the world champions this summer. Pep Guardiola prefers to work with a smaller squad, and it would appear unlikely that City will add players without space in the squad to cater for arrivals.

Another variable in the equation of Lucas Paqueta arriving at Manchester City is City’s reported interest in Jamal Musiala. Miguel Delaney has previously reported for the Independent that the treble winners have an interest in signing the German international. If there is a choice between either Musiala or Paqueta, which player would Manchester City choose to pursue? There is a possibility that the champions could bring both to the Etihad if the chance is available. But that would appear unlikely given there are other areas of the City squad that need strengthening. If it becomes a choice of signing either Lucas Paqueta or Jamal Musiala, that could potentially shift City’s summer thinking.

Manchester City’s interest in West Ham’s Brazilian international is well known. But it does appear there are several obstacles that could potentially lie in the road of any summer move for Paqueta by Manchester City.