Lucas Paqueta transfer in doubt as Man City given just a ‘10% chance’ now

Manchester City move for West Ham United midfielder Lucas Paqueta is currently on hold, according to Sky Sports journalist Kaveh Solhekol.

Pep Guardiola had identified the Brazil international midfielder as a possible option to further strengthen their midfield this summer, and interest had intensified in the last few days following Kevin De Bruyne’s hamstring injury and scheduled surgery.

While West Ham were understood to have demanded a fee in and around the £85 million mark, Manchester City’s reluctance to meet the valuation was counteracted by confidence stemming from the player’s desire to link-up with Pep Guardiola at the Etihad Stadium.

However, it now appears that City may have to look elsewhere for a recruit in midfield this summer, with a flurry of reports on Friday morning suggesting that a deal is now off due to reasons that have not been disclosed.

As first reported by journalist Alan Nixon, it is claimed that Manchester City’s move for Lucas Paqueta is now off, with ‘top insiders’ in all parts of the deal revealing that a transfer will not happen in this window due to ‘confidential issues’.

In further reporting from Sky Sports journalist Kaveh Solhekol, it is stated that Manchester City’s move for the West Ham midfielder is ‘on hold’, and while the situation could change, there is currently a “90% chance” that a transfer will not happen.

Manchester City are hurriedly focusing their efforts on other targets as they still want a creative midfielder.

However, the decision to call off the pursuit of the West Ham star remains cloaked in secrecy.