According to a report in the Express, Manchester United might look to challenge Manchester City in the signing of West Ham’s Lucas Paqueta.
The Hammers are reluctant to sell the Brazilian because he is one of their top-rated players but as per rumours if a team is ready to pay around £85 million then David Moyes will allow him to leave at the end of this season.
Man City have long been linked with the 26-year-old attacking midfielder but United are planning to hijack this deal by offering a cash-plus-player deal with Harry Maguire as the counterweight. West Ham had failed to sign Maguire last summer but Moyes is set to reignite his interest in the central defender this time as well.
Man United are probably looking to use this interest to their advantage but they will still have to pay around £60 million for Lucas Paqueta because Harry Maguire is valued at only £15 million.
Do Man United need to compete with MCFC for a player like Lucas Paqueta?
Lucas Paqueta is a versatile midfielder who can play in a number of positions and with De Bruyne and Silva’s futures in doubt, we can understand why Pep is interested in the Hammers man.
However, Man United have Bruno Fernandes and Mason Mount who play in similar roles so there’s no need for them to go after the Brazilian international. He’s scored seven and assisted six goals in all competitions for West Ham this season and a player like him definitely deserves to play for a top-six team but United’s focus should be on signing a central/defensive midfielder in the summer.
Former Hammers striker Frank McAvennie has admitted that even if Lucas Paqueta doesn’t want to leave in the summer if a good offer comes in, the club will sell him.
“If an offer comes in from a bigger club, like Man City, Real Madrid or Juventus, they’re going to get him,” he told Football Insider.
“His head will be turned because there’s no way he will refuse a big offer from a club like that. But I look at him and he’s enjoying himself. I don’t think Paqueta would be too hurried to move.
“But if a good offer does come in, Mr Sullivan will tell him that he’s off!”
Lucas Paqueta has shown no signs of discontent at West Ham but if he has to exit then the midfielder will any day prefer a move to Man City in the hopes of being the long-term replacement for KDB rather than join a struggling Manchester United team.
