West Ham United midfielder Lucas Paqueta is said to be a transfer target for Manchester City in the summer window.
Lucas Paqueta actually came close to leaving West Ham to join Manchester City last summer, but the move was scuppered due to the ongoing investigation into potential betting breaches from him.
The 26-year-old Brazilian has been in superb form for the Hammers this season, with seven goals and six assists in 33 games to his name (Transfermarkt).
Due to the former Lyon man’s exceptional ability, it may well be hard for David Moyes to keep him at the London Stadium beyond the end of this season.
It was claimed just before the turn of the new year that Paqueta has his heart set on playing for Man City next season.
The South American star is a sensational player, and has more than enough about him to play under Pep Guardiola.
However, if Paqueta really does want to join Manchester City, he certainly didn’t show it during a press conference whilst away on international duty with Brazil yesterday…
Difference between Manchester City linked Lucas Paqueta and Declan Rice
Paqueta addressed the media yesterday whilst away on international duty with Brazil.
He was asked a cheeky question about a potential transfer to Manchester City, and he responded with genuine class, as quoted by TNT Sports out in Brazil:
“I have a lot of respect for my club, which is West Ham. I’ve been having a very good season and that has helped me a lot in my evolution in the Premier League. So I think that out of respect for them I have to stay focused on my duty at West Ham and keep working.”
What a contrast between his comments and Rice’s from 16 months ago.
Back in December 2022, Declan Rice left a bitter taste in the mouths of the West Ham fans when he spoke to the media during the World Cup out in Qatar.
He responded to a question asking him if he would leave the Hammers in the summer by suggesting that Champions League football and winning major trophies was a real ambition for him:
*“Yeah, 100 per cent\. For the last two or three years I have been saying that\. I have been playing consistently well for \[my\] club and I feel like I really want to keep pushing\. I see my friends here who are playing in the Champions League and for big trophies… you only get one career and at the end of your career you want to look back at what you have won and the biggest games you have played in\. I am really ambitious\.”*
The difference really is quite remarkable isn’t it.
Lucas Paqueta not draw in by Manchester City question
The beauty of the 26-year-old’s response yesterday was that it proves he has great respect for the Hammers.
He didn’t hawk himself out to the Premier League champions and despite the fact that we probably all know he’ll leave in the summer, his comments yesterday will mean that whenever he does go, he’ll exit with out full support.
Lucas Paqueta is good enough to play for Manchester City, there’s no doubting that.
And if he moves to the Etihad in the summer, he’ll 100 per cent go with my blessing. What a difference between him and Rice eh!
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