West Ham United Playmaker Is On The Radar Of Manchester City: Can Moyes Afford To Lose Him?

Fichajes has reported that Manchester City is interested in West Ham United playmaker Lucas Paqueta. According to reports, the Manchester club hopes to sign the Brazilian star from the Hammers this summer.

Paqueta has experienced a decent campaign at the London Stadium as he has managed to produce a handful of influential displays for the Hammers in the final third. The Brazilian sensation has done well to score five goals and secure six assists in 27 matches for West Ham this season across multiple competitions.

The 26-year-old has stood out in both halves, averaging 2.4 tackles, 0.7 interceptions, 0.8 clearances, 1.2 shoots, 1.4 vital passes, and 1.6 dribbles per Premier League game. He has even been clean with the ball, making 75.8% of his attempted passes in the English first division (data from whoscored).
Paqueta’s current deal with the East London club will expire in the summer of 2027. Thus, David Moyes has no pressing need to cash in on him at the end of the season.

Paqueta typically works hard for his club off the bench. He can make a couple effective tackles to help his team regain possession within his half. The South American star can fire the ball with venom from long range and even set up some good plays for others around him in the attacking end of the pitch. He can also dribble the ball well in the opposing half.
When fit, Paqueta has established himself as one of David Moyes’ most significant first-team players. Thus, the Hammers simply cannot afford to lose a player of his caliber without first securing a suitable successor.

Overall, West Ham should only contemplate selling Paqueta if they receive a substantial offer at the end of the season. Otherwise, Moyes would be better off keeping the Brazilian playmaker beyond the summer.