This summer, West Ham embarked on a significant rebuild with the understanding that the sale of Lucas Paqueta to Manchester City would provide them with an additional £85 million.
Last summer, an agreement was reached between the Hammers and Manchester City to bring Paqueta to the Etihad for his £85 million release clause.
However, that move was thwarted by an abrupt inquiry into his purported involvement in illicit betting on yellow cards, which he adamantly denies.
Cole Palmer from Manchester City was about to be signed by West Ham for over £40 million, according to recent confirmation from vice-chair Karren Brady and manager David Moyes.
Manchester City is’more determined than ever’, according to journalist Grahame Bailey, to capture West Ham’s playmaker this summer.
There were rumours in the larger football media that Paqueta’s lawsuit would be dismissed.
The idea of selling Paqueta at his £85 million clause had actually gained traction among many West Ham supporters.
Man City give West Ham new hope of blockbuster deal
Some believed that the Brazilian was “coasting” at the end of the last campaign in anticipation of his “dream” move to the Etihad this summer.
But the possibility of Paqueta joining Man City was shelved once more when the FA revealed the star player from West Ham had been officially accused.
At an unspecified time, a three-person impartial panel will now decide the Brazilian’s destiny.
It all started when Man City offered Declan Rice a proposal of at least £100 million, matching Arsenal’s, only for the former West Ham captain to decide to move to north London.
Regarding acquiring the money for the Brazilian magnifico, West Ham is concerned about the Paqueta scenario.
Undoubtedly, Paqueta is expected to depart from West Ham once his future is resolved.
In the event of a guilty verdict, the player will be subject to a lengthy suspension and may face legal action from the Hammers. In the not too distant future, he will be sold if he is absolved.
It is anticipated that judgement will be rendered prior the summer of next year.
A lot of people thought Manchester City would sign someone else and move on.
Now, though, Man City’s calculated approach has given West Ham fresh hope for a marquee deal.
Gundogan a clear stop-gap as Man City wait for Paqueta
Barcelona’s Ilkay Gundogan has rejoined Premier League winners Man City.
With a one-year contract that includes a one-year option, the 34-year-old is rejoining his former team.
According to reports, the decision to bring Gundogan back is a stopgap measure to buy Man City some time before they sign a long-term midfield player.
One thing is suggested by the fact that Manchester City could essentially sign any player in the world.
Man City is waiting on West Ham’s Paqueta while the Gundogan trade is finalised.
By this time next year, the matter will have been settled, and Gundogan’s return will have made the right transition.
Actually, this is excellent news for West Ham.
Man City would have made it obvious that they had moved on from Paqueta if they had gone out and paid a high price for a new midfield player this summer.
However, this temporary solution including Gundogan implies the complete opposite.
That implies that Paqueta, who is 26 years old and starting his peak, will still fetch a significant payment from West Ham.
If that contract materialises at the third attempt to sign next summer, it would contribute to funding the development of West Ham’s redesigned team.
Additionally, the player would get the relocation he supposedly wants.
Man City’s willingness to wait implies that they may be certain Paqueta will be cleared.
Everything now depends on the panel’s major decision, which is anticipated early in the following year—well ahead of the summer window.
PSG midfielder Carlos Soler will be first in line to sign number nine if West Ham makes any further acquisitions during this transfer window.
The Hammers have given technical director Tim Steidten all the support he needs and endorsed new manager Julen Lopetegui.
This summer, Steidten and Loptegui have signed eight players together.
According to reports, Lopetegui has discussed a transfer to the London Stadium with Spain’s Soler, a midfielder who was previously with Valencia.The Irons have made some brilliant and exciting acquisitions this summer, signing just about everyone.
West Ham’s window of wonder and wisdom
Luis Guilherme, a teenage Brazilian, opened at £20 million. It is anticipated that the 18-year-old will be able to make his Premier League debut this season, laying the groundwork to become a future star for the Hammers.
This summer, Wes Foderingham was a wise free signing for West Ham since he fits in as a third goalkeeper and checks the homegrown box.
Being the first significant addition to the team, Max Kilman also checks that box. Kilman, who cost West Ham £40 million to acquire from Wolves, proved to be well worth the money during the Villa match, despite some doubters. Lopetegui will be able to use Kilman to change the way the Hammers operate defensively.
An intriguing acquisition from Leeds was Crysencio Summerville. In today’s game, the Championship player of the year came for a relatively low cost of £26 million. At just 22, he is primed to succeed right now as he looks to break into the Holland team in the future.
Next, for £23.5 million, experienced German striker Niclas Fullkrug arrived. Guido Rodriguez, a sane free agent acquisition, followed.
Undoubtedly, West Ham’s acquisition of Jean-Clair Todibo, a French defender, is the acquisition of the summer after defeating Juventus and other teams.
For Steidten and Lopetegui, Aaron Wan-Bissaka—who is thought to be among the top defensive right-backs in the world—made it eight arrivals.
According to reports, an agreement has been reached to make PSG exile Soler, a fixture in Lopetegui’s Spain team, their ninth player. If players are able to go on.
However, Jacob Steinberg of The Guardian has drawn attention to a possible problem with that Hammers sale.
Journalist raises West Ham’s Soler concerns but it’s a red herring
Although it’s a complete red herring, the journalist brought up West Ham’s Soler fears.
David Sullivan, the principal owner of Hammers, has confidence in Steinberg.
Also, he has been sharing his insights regarding the Soler transaction.
Steinberg has reiterated what others and Hammers News have been reporting for some time.
that in order to finalise a deal for Soler, players must be transferred out. and therefore a loan with a requirement to finish it immediately might be necessary.
Steinberg asserted that “West Ham knows Soler is on high wages at PSG,” which could be a problem.
According to Steinberg in The Guardian, “West Ham could work around this by signing the 27-year-old on an initial loan, with either an obligation or an option to buy inserted in the deal.”
“They know that Soler receives a high salary at PSG.”
But that is a total red herring.
Wages definitely not an issue in Soler deal
Soler’s weekly wage at PSG is £71,000, according to wage Sport and several other sports salary websites.
It’s somewhat more than £3.6 million annually. Not bad for money, if you can obtain it, naturally.
However, it’s in no way, shape, or form a deal breaker.
especially should West Ham be able to trade Zouma for £125k a week, which they must in order to move forward with the transfer anyhow.
In light of the situation, Soler’s weekly salary is merely £6,000 higher than that of Maxwel Cornet, a player the Hammers are attempting to let go.
With those wages—which, should Soler be signed to a permanent contract, are probably going to be negotiated down rather than up—Soler would become West Ham’s thirteenth best paid player.
Additionally, Lucas Paqueta’s weekly salary of £150,000 would be cut in half for the Spaniard.
Not that it’s meant to minimise that type of money.
Just to clarify, salaries won’t be a barrier to this specific agreement, despite what Steinberg has implied.
Because the move won’t be approved unless one or more players leave, there will be significant salary bill savings.
