Lucas Paqueta has now responded to being linked with a summer move to Manchester City.
Over a week ago, it was claimed that the West Ham United midfielder had his sights set on a move to Pep Guardiola’s side.
It was also reported on Wednesday that the Brazilian was one of the midfielders that the £378,846-a-week manager at the Etihad Stadium wished to add to his squad, alongside Newcastle United’s Bruno Guimaraes and Benfica’s Joao Neves.
Alongside the likes of Phil Foden, Rodri, Martin Odegaard and Declan Rice, Lucas Paqueta’s form has put him in the conversation for being the Premier League’s best midfielder.
Four goals and six assists in 28 league starts might not read as impressive numbers from a creative player who is held in such high regard by the masses.
However, to only assess the reported City target’s displays this campaign by taking a look at his goal and assist numbers would be reductive.
Additionally, there are still doubts over whether David Moyes’ defensive-oriented approach suits a magician like him entirely.
Lucas Paqueta responds to summer Manchester City links
Especially when Paqueta has also been deployed as a makeshift winger in certain games by Moyes, which takes away from his game due to him being a natural midfielder.
When watching the former Lyon technician in action, his quality has shone through.
For instance, Lucas Paqueta’s breathtaking showing against Manchester United in West Ham’s 2-0 win, where he capped off his outing by playing a stunning dinked assist for Jarrod Bowen’s opener.
Similarly, the Europa Conference League winner displayed his class against Newcastle United with another glorious assist for Michail Antonio’s opener in his side’s 4-3 defeat.
In such games, the 26-year-old has showcased that he has the ability to turn a match on its heads.
That is exactly the quality teams look when for trying to sign an attacker of his ilk.
After West Ham’s 2-2 draw against Liverpool, the Rio de Janeiro-born creator initially told ESPN Brasil journalist Joao Castelo-Branco, “I have to do my job here at West Ham. I have enormous respect for the club. I’m very happy here if I say I’m not, I’d be lying”, he guaranteed.”
“Of course, it involves a lot of things that are happening off the field, but I remain focused on doing my best, finishing the season well. I started well, I hope to finish well.”
When Lucas Paqueta was asked about the speculation surrounding him potentially signing for Manchester City, he replied,
“What they say [about Manchester City] is everything from last window. Now, it’s time to finish the season and wait for what will happen.”
Lucas Paqueta did not shut down the links to Manchester City
Considering Lucas Paqueta is still a West Ham player, it would have been a shock for him to admit that he dreams of signing for Manchester City in the summer.
But interestingly, Paqueta did not also shut down the rumours surrounding him joining City.
Perhaps that goes to show that while the versatile attacker is focused on life at the London Stadium, he might look into a potential move to the Etihad Stadium at the end of the season.
The Hammers will be determined to qualify for the Europa League, sitting just a point behind sixth-placed Manchester United in the league table.
