Man City could target £100m 'exceptional' Pep favourite after Paqueta transfer blow

Suraj Radia

• Updated: 23 May 2024 18:12 BST
• 3 min read

Lucas Paqueta could face a significant ban after being charged by the FA for betting offences in a move which could have major implications on Manchester City’s summer but also Newcastle’s.

Paqueta has been a long-term target for City but the Premier League champions were waiting until the FA had finished investigating the West Ham star, having looked into potential breaches last summer.

Although Paqueta has responded by claiming his innocence and insisting he will fight the charges, the Brazilian has been accused of getting booked intentionally on multiple occasions, which could even result in a lifetime ban.

READ MORE: Lucas Paqueta puts City transfer plans into jeopardy

City had agreed to sign Paqueta for more than €80 million last year but the move fell apart after the revelations and they were hoping for a positive outcome in order to resurrect the transfer this summer.

However, the charges mean that City are unlikely to pursue their interest and could move onto other targets, such as Newcastle star Bruno Guimaraes.

Guimaraes has a release clause of £100m (€117.4m) which is valid for the month of June and City boss Pep Guardiola has been a long-time admirer of the 26-year-old, meaning a transfer could accelerate in the coming weeks.

’Exceptional’ Guimaraes likely to be a target of Guardiola

Guimaraes has established himself as one of the standout performers in the Premier League since joining Newcastle for €42m in January 2022, providing 16 goals and 14 assists from defensive midfield in that time.

No player in the Premier League won more ground duels than the Brazilian last season (268) and he also covered more ground than anyone else, leading to interest from Paris Saint-Germain and Barcelona as well as City.

STATS

Bruno Guimarães

DM (CL), M (C)

Newcastle Utd.

Bruno Guimarães

DM (CL), M (C)

Newcastle Utd.

Premier League

2023/24

• 37

  Games

• 7

  Goals

• 8

  Assists

View all stats

Newcastle would demand Guimaraes’ release clause in full and have no intention of negotiating to sell their star man after it expires in June, while the player himself has continued to stress his desire to remain at St James’ Park.

READ MORE: Man City’s 10 most expensive transfers of all time

However, the player has been called ‘exceptional’ by Guardiola and is believed to be high on City’s shortlist, particularly due to the appealing release clause.

With no other teams likely to have the means to meet Guimaraes’ release clause, the Magpies favourite may be faced with a tough decision if City make their move, with Paqueta likely to live in regret as he fights to prove his innocence in the coming months.