West Ham were banking on selling Lucas Paqueta to Man City this summer, with their budget expected to be dealt a blow after his FA charges.
Speaking on the latest edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, senior correspondent Pete O’Rourke revealed Man City would not follow up their interest in the 26-year-old as a result of his charges for breaching the FA’s betting rules.
The Hammers are now in limbo about whether Paqueta will be able to play for them again after the FA set a precedent with bans handed to Ivan Toney and Sandro Tonali.
it was reported on 22 May that the Hammers would have been powerless to resist an approach from City, with his £85million release clause active this summer.
West Ham dealt transfer blow after Lucas Paqueta news
West Ham smashed their transfer record to complete the £51million signing of Paqueta from Lyon in 2022, but may be left short of budget if they cannot move him on as a result of the charges.
As a result of the level of interest in his signature, the Hammers expected to receive his £85million transfer fee, which would have been reinvested into the squad.
Pep Guardiola is a huge fan of Paqueta, and attempted to sign him last summer before a deal fell through, with City expected to return with another bid before the charges were delivered.
Most recently, the Brazilian FA have insisted the charges will not stand in the way of him representing his national team in the Copa America, but City’s concerns are lingering.
It now appears the Hammers’ transfer budget will be impacted by City dropping their interest, with their transfer plans thrown up in the air by the FA.
