EXCLUSIVE: Man City maintain Paqueta interest despite betting scandal
Jacque Talbot
- 21 Oct 2023 11:20 BST
- 3 min read
Exclusive
Manchester City maintain an interest in Lucas Paqueta but a move won’t materialise until the FA betting investigation into the midfielder is concluded, FootballTransfers understands.
Sources inform us that the Premier League champions still admire the West Ham maestro despite their signing of Matheus Nunes for £53 million from Wolves over the summer.
Last window, Man City agreed a £80m deal in principle for Paqueta before West Ham were informed that the Brazil international was the subject of an FA investigation into alleged betting breaches - a matter that’s still ongoing.
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Once the FA investigation is over, we are told that another approach could be made for the former Lyon player, with sources close to the situation telling FootballTransfers that there is a hope that a deal could be struck next year.
The alleged bets were reported to the International Betting Integrity Association - who then told FIFA and the FA.
Paqueta he denies any wrongdoing in the allegations against him for breaking betting rules.
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A spokesperson for FIFA said at the time "As a general policy, we do not comment on whether or not investigations are underway into such alleged cases."
Will Kalvin Phillips leave Man City?
Man City will look to move on Kalvin Phillips after the player made indications that he is willing to move on from the side.
The England international moved to the club after a successful Euro 2020 campaign and an incredible period with Leeds under Marcelo Bielsa. Newcastle are among the clubs thought to be interested, but there is the notion that the midfielder could be used as a means of reducing the fee for Paqueta, in what would be a cash-plus-player deal.
Phillips opted not to move away from the Etihad during the summer window but he is struggled to use Rodri’s absence to his advantage this campaign and is now believed to be open to an exit.
