“Champions League Giants DESPERATE to Offload £300K-a-Week MEGA Star in SHOCK Swap Deal for West Ham’s Hottest Talent – You Won’t BELIEVE Who’s Involved!”
Manchester City are reportedly targeting West Ham United star Lucas Paquetá in a swap deal involving forward Jack Grealish, according to journalist Sebastien Vidal.
The Premier League champions have already been active in the summer transfer market, securing Tijjani Reijnders, Rayan Aït-Nouri, Rayan Cherki, young prospect Sverre Nypan, and goalkeeper James Trafford before the Club World Cup.
Following Paquetá’s clearance in his spot-fixing case, City have reignited their pursuit of the Brazilian midfielder.
Considered “one of the best players in the world,” Paquetá came close to sealing an £85m move to the Etihad Stadium two summers ago, but FA charges halted the transfer.
Pep Guardiola has remained an admirer, and with the legal cloud now gone, the club is exploring ways to bring him in.
This time, City are not looking to meet the previous fee. West Ham are believed to value Paquetá at around £50m, with the funds potentially aiding Graham Potter’s squad rebuild.
To reduce costs, City are preparing an offer that would send Grealish to the London Stadium as part of the deal.
Grealish, on £300,000-a-week, is no longer in Guardiola’s plans for the upcoming season. He has been told he can leave, with Everton already in talks over a possible season-long loan.
However, City’s preference is to offload him permanently to remove his wages from their books.
The proposed swap would see the 30-year-old winger move to West Ham, with Paquetá heading in the opposite direction. City would also include a cash payment to finalise the arrangement.
This creative approach could satisfy all parties — giving West Ham a proven Premier League attacker, easing City’s wage bill, and allowing Guardiola to finally work with a player he has long admired.
