Pathetic Press Ploy On Paqueta

Those mischievous little tykes at the Daily Mail do love a good regurgitated story don't they?

Having milked the Declan Rice to Arsenal story within a couple of years of private schooling money banked, the Mail's 'lead' sports journalist couldn't wait to drop his bombshell. After all sitting on an explosive device can be quite disturbing, so 'letting' go of the Manchester City bid for Lucas Pacqueta was necessary to maintain his equilibrium.

Of course using the old journalistic adage of never letting the truth get in the way of a good story there are some 'chronilogical' innacurracies involved, in a similar way as to how they initially reported new signing Edson Alavarez would be receiving £150,000 per week!

Having been forced to revise their figure to a more accurate £100,000 per week the Mail were NOT going to give up the ghost on the 'Pacman' story, almost as if in revenge!

After a tentative start Paqueta, who joined the Irons from Lyon for £36.5 Million last summer, became a fan favourite and was instrumental in the club winning the Europa Conference League.Supposedly City have made an initial approach to West Ham but are yet to make a bid.

It is possible they will test the club's resolve as Pep Guardiola looks to bolster his squad after last season's Treble success and the departures of Ilkay Gundogan and Riyad Mahrez. Guardiola said: "We'll see if we need wingers or inside players." in a throw away comment and it has been hoovered up by the Mail.
Guardiola has long coveted Paqueta and has indeed said he would like to sign him, but that was over a year ago! If Lucas Paqueta WERE to sign for City he would become a small fish in a giant pond, whereas at West Ham he is guaranteed cult status.

Pacman is on a four year deal and while the chance to work with the best manager in the World is obviously appealing, the Brazilain has been around enough to know about the grass being greener syndrome - Ed