Manchester city are likely to continue their dominance both on and off the pitch in the next couple of months – with the race for the Premier Leasgue title, and the summer window, approaching.
City sit a point behind Liverpool and Arsenal but Pep Guardiola‘s side are a juggarnaut. This is the kind of enviromnment in which Guardiola’s City side thrives, excelling under pressure at just the right time.
Come the summer, there will be a few decisions Guardiola needs to make in regards to his playing squad. Chief among which, will be finding competition for Kevin De Bruyne – who has had his injuries this term.
One player City really like is West Ham and Brazil star Lucas Paqueta, a player Paul Scholes has compared to Eric Cantona in the past. He came close to joining Man City last summer, and is still keen on a move.
Darren Bent expects Manchester City to sign Lucas Paqueta
It is easy to see why City would be interested. Since joining the Hammers at the start of the 22-23 season, Paqueta has played 74 times for David Moyes’ side and had a hand in 25 goals. He is capable of magic.
Guardiola has been seen speaking to Paqueta after games between City and West Ham, and reports say that City want to sign the Brazil star this summer. Indeed, they’re ready to activate his £86m exit clause.
It might be that Guardiola sees Paqueta as the long-term replacement for De Bruyne. While the Belgian is still wonderful, he is slowing down. Darren Bent has backed a move to Man City, talking on TalkSPORT.
“Won’t be there. He’ll be at a Champions League team next season. West Ham could be in the Champions League next season. But Man City will be in the Champions League and if they offer £80million, he’s off.”
West Ham will go backwards unless they perform major surgery
It would be a hammer blow for The Hammers. Losing Declan Rice and then Paqueta in the space of 12 months is difficult to come back from. Paqueta is the heartbeat of this Hammers side, especially in attack.
West Ham have some good players, but if they want to continue to get into Europe, they need better than good. PLayers like Paqueta and Rice. The only other player they have of this calubre is Jarrod Bowen.
What will he think, having watched Rice and Paqueta leave the club? West Ham may be powerless to stop Paqueta leaving but they have got to work hard in the summer to bring in some genuine world beaters.
That, or face going backwards again – which indeed, they have domestically during 2023-24 after the loss of Rice. Is Paqueta good enough for Man City? Without doubt. He deserves a move to a club like this.
The post 'He's off': Darren Bent thinks 26-year-old will join Man City if Pep Guardiola bids £80m appeared first on TBR Football.