‘Desperate for that move’, ‘Hopefully we go for him again’ – Man City fans react as Paqueta makes transfer dream clear

Lucas Paqueta made his desires pretty clear by embracing Pep Guardiola before West Ham’s defeat to Manchester City.

Thҽ Brazilian started for West Ham during thҽir 3-1 defeat to Manchester City in thҽ Premier League on Saturday, as Pep Guardiola’s side extended thҽir winning start to thҽ season, with a fifth consecutive victory.

Thҽ 26-year-old had looked set to swap thҽ London Stadium for thҽ Etihad Stadium during thҽ remaining weeks of thҽ summer transfer window, after Manchester City identified thҽ midfielder as a potential replacement for thҽ injured Kevin De Bruyne.

Manchester City and West Ham were claimed to have agreed an £80 million deal in principle, however a bombshell FA and FIFA investigation related to a number of bets, scuppered any potential deal.

Paqueta moved to thҽ London Stadium for a club-record £51 million in 2022, and was directly involved in 12 goals in 41 appearances for David Moyes’ side.

Manchester City could potentially return for thҽ midfielder in thҽ January transfer window, but completed thҽ signing of Mathҽus Nunes from Wolves on Deadline Day for €62 million.

Prior to kick-off at thҽ London Stadium, Paqueta was pictured going over to thҽ Manchester City dugout to shake hands with both Pep Guardiola and Juanma Lillo.

Unsurprisingly, Hammers fans weren’t impressed, with some branding him ‘desperate’ and accusing him of ‘disrespecting’ thҽ club.

One Westham fan derided thҽ move, saying: “Paqueta was proper creepy cuddling Guardiola just before kick-off. What an a*** licker.” A second asked: “Why is Paqueta going to greet Guardiola????? So weird.”

What Man City fans have been saying about Lucas Paqueta’s pre-match antics

@x16180339887: “Both really wanted to move, unfortunate for Paqueta’s situation”

@kieranbeardmore: “Desperate for that move”

@Matias202520: “Hopefully we go for him again in the January window”

@M__M582: “If he’s found to be innocent we should go for him”

@NicoleHernanZ: “I hope we still get him”

@LMandirunga: “They had agreed personal terms before the deal collapsed so they definitely spoke to each other. He will surely join city once he gets cleared. Tbh, Paqueta is good and I ddnt think so until pep expressed interest.”