‘Would prefer Wirtz or Musiala’ – Man City fans react as club ‘determined’ to return for £80m summer target as Kevin De Bruyne successor

Manchester City are reportedly mulling over a transfer move for West Ham midfielder Lucas Paqueta in January as a potential successor to Kevin De Bruyne.

During the final weeks of the summer transfer window, Man City transfer officials identified the former Olympique Lyonnais man as their top midfield target.

However, negotiations broke down at the last hurdle despite Man City making West Ham a £80 million offer (Sky Sports).

When word leaked out in the closing days of the summer transfer window that Lucas Paqueta was the subject of an FA and FIFA investigation into questionable betting habits, Manchester City withdrew their bids to sign the player.

Now, though, it appears that the previous season’s Treble winners, who supposedly made up their minds regarding the player and his ongoing investigation, might rekindle their interest in the upcoming weeks and months.

According to a report from UOL, Manchester City are watching the ongoing investigation over Lucas Paqueta’s betting accusations and are waiting for a conclusion on the case.

It is claimed that should the West Ham and Brazil international be found innocent of the accusations, then the Premier League champions will make a second move for him in the new year.

As per the report, Lucas Paqueta is considered by Pep Guardiola to be so good that he could be Kevin De Bruyne’s long-term replacement. De Bruyne, who is currently recovering from surgery for a recurrent hamstring issue.

After being posted on Twitter by City Xtra, the report attracted a lot of interest from the team’s followers.

@Blessed_MCfc: “He is a good player but he doesn’t have the blistering change in pace of KDB let alone the vision. Just say City are targeting him.”

@TheLegend_KDB: “We should be going for Wirtz or Musiala. Paqueta isn’t KDB replacement, he’s more Gundo/Bernie replacement.”

@th9230: “Really good player but he’s not Kev standard.”

@LannyHelmsley: “I rate him but KDB replacement? Those are big shoes to fill . Is pep
Actually Dead serious or he is joking.”

@bahadur18856744: “He’s good but nowhere near kdb replacement. We should go for wirtz or musiala not him”

@ma70176: “He’s a good midfielder but KDB replacement might be a little over the top.”

@tristannxza: “Would prefer Wirtz or Musiala over Paqueta.”