Transfers
Paquetá on the Cost of a Collapsed £85m Move and Two-Year Probe
Paquetá says collapsed £85m Manchester City transfer and two-year investigation took a heavy toll…
Lucas Paquetá has described the professional and psychological fallout after a proposed £85 million move to Manchester City fell through and a subsequent two-year investigation into alleged intentional yellow cards.
The West Ham United midfielder said the transfer was effectively ended when charges arrived and Pep Guardiola’s side walked away from a deal said to be worth £85 million ($111.8 million). The Brazil international, 28, faced a potential lifetime ban after being formally charged a year after an investigation began in August of that year.
After a hearing Paquetá was cleared of all gambling charges in July 2025, a conclusion that ended what he called an “ugly two-year saga.” He told Globo Esporte that the timing of the allegations destroyed the immediate move to City. “Everyone knows that I really had a transfer to City,” he told Globo Esporte . “I probably would have signed the week I received the letter [with the charges].”
Paquetá said the biggest impact was psychological and that he sought professional help. “Professionally speaking, I lost that, that transfer , a leap in my career. Psychologically, I think that’s where I was most affected, by the fear of this indecision, the uncertainty of my future, despite knowing who I am, what I do, what I’ve done. But, due to the circumstances of the investigations and the way the federation handled everything, it generated fear in us.
“Psychologically, it was difficult for me; I had psychological support to deal with all of this, with some of the problems. But, as I said, understanding the reason for everything, that it was God’s work, being able to share a little of my encounter with Him, being a testimony of faith and resilience, I think that’s what I take away from it, that was my victory.
“I’m happy, much lighter. That fear is behind me. What they said would be three months lasted two years, and I was able to prove my innocence, win this case, and be able to do what I love normally.”
He has also made clear he will not simply walk away. It emerged in September that, according to The Guardian, he was considering suing the Football Association to recover legal costs rather than the earnings he would have had at City. “There’s a lot more I want to talk about, in more detail,” Paquetá vowed. “But that will be at another time, and people will be able to see the magnitude of what happened, the biggest betting scandal in the history of English football, the details of what I went through, not what has been reported, because a lot of what has been said isn’t true. I will clarify everything.
“I’m preparing myself, putting together a way to tell this story better, with more details, so that it’s clearer and people can understand the magnitude and gravity of what happened. And, obviously, to tell my side of the story in detail: the trial, meetings, interviews with the Federation, all sorts of details that they sometimes presented in a negative way, but which weren’t true.”
Asked whether he was delaying revealing all the details for either legal or personal reasons, Paquetá simply concluded: “Both.”
Barcelona
Rashford’s Return to United Remains Possible but Unlikely After Carrick Comment
Carrick would welcome Rashford back if appointed permanent manager, but the forward seems settled. .
Michael Carrick has told those around him he would like Marcus Rashford back at Manchester United if he is appointed permanent manager, a development that has complicated an already tangled transfer picture.
Reports indicate Barcelona are leaning towards triggering a purchase option they hold on the 28-year-old, but The Telegraph says Carrick would explore a reunion with the England international if he is allowed to stay at Old Trafford beyond the summer. The final call, however, will belong to Rashford. If he does not want to stay with Barcelona, he simply will not.
Rashford left United after 426 appearances following a breakdown in his relationship with the club. The need for a fresh start contributed to his exit and United were willing to move on from a player who perhaps blew hot-and-cold one too many times. That context, plus the fact that Amorim drove United’s efforts to offload him, makes a comeback complicated. Amorim was relieved of his duties, and the change in coaching staff has reopened the possibility in principle, though the reunion feels unlikely in practice.
“Of course what I want is to stay at Barça,” Rashford told SPORT in December, two weeks before Amorim was relieved of his duties. We have not heard from Rashford since.
Barcelona secured Rashford in the summer for an affordable fee of €30 million, a deal that exploited United’s position at the time. The forward has justified that outlay with a major impact on Hansi Flick’s side this season. Even so, Barcelona appear to believe United’s negotiating weakness, largely linked to Rashford’s large wages, leaves room to seek an additional discount.
Ultimately the situation reduces to a few simple truths: Barcelona have the first option, United’s stance during last summer leaves them with limited leverage, and Rashford’s preference will decide whether any reunion is pursued. For now, Carrick’s preference is clear, but Rashford’s commitment to Barcelona appears to make a return improbable.
Premier League
Paquetá turned down Chelsea and Tottenham to join Flamengo in record £35.8m transfer
Paquetá rejected Chelsea and Tottenham to rejoin Flamengo in a record £35.8m deal, aiming for peace.
Lucas Paquetá has completed a return to Flamengo after three-and-a-half years with West Ham United, a move that ended speculation about offers from two Premier League clubs. On arrival in Rio, Paquetá told Flamengo TV that his priority was clear and recounted how interest from England did not change his mind.
“Tottenham called, Chelsea called,” Paquetá revealed. “And the funny thing is that Tata [Paquetá’s agent] called all excited and said, ‘Chelsea’s calling, they’re gonna make an offer.’
“I replied, ‘Okay, but what about Flamengo?’ He said, ‘Are you serious?’ I said, ‘Yeah, I don’t want to know about that. I want to hear about Flamengo,’ and that’s how it all happened.”
The 28-year-old elected to leave Europe and rejoin the club where he began his career. Flamengo paid West Ham £35.8 million (€42 million, $49.4 million) for Paquetá, a fee described as the highest ever for transfers within North and South American football. That figure eclipsed the recent record set when Cruzeiro paid €27 million ($32 million) to sign Gérson from Zenit.
Flamengo returnees and recent signings underline the club’s continental ambition. Since Paquetá departed in January 2019, Flamengo have claimed three Copa Libertadores titles and begin the season as defending Brazilian League and Libertadores champions. The squad has also added players with European experience, including Saúl Níguez, Samu Lino and Jorginho.
Paquetá framed his decision in personal terms in a farewell to West Ham, writing that he wanted to “find joy in football again and regain my peace.” The midfielder had been subject to an English Football Federation investigation into alleged gambling charges but was cleared. He now arrives at Flamengo hoping for consistent minutes and to position himself for selection by Brazil at the 2026 World Cup.
Chelsea
Spurs One of Eight Clubs Considering Sterling After Chelsea Departure
Tottenham among eight clubs considering Raheem Sterling after Chelsea exit; Napoli, Juventus linked.
Tottenham Hotspur have been named among eight teams weighing up a move for Raheem Sterling after his exit from Chelsea, according to reports. The same sources say a further seven clubs are evaluating a switch for the 31-year-old winger, with Napoli and Juventus explicitly mentioned among the suitors.
Chelsea’s wage bill was a primary obstacle to a conventional transfer. Sterling was earning around £325,000 ($446,000) per week at Stamford Bridge and has not featured in competitive action since returning from an underwhelming loan with Arsenal last season. Those factors prompted concern over the financial viability of any transfer.
Having now accepted a pay-off from Chelsea, the terms of which have not been disclosed, Sterling is reportedly in a position to lower his demands. It is believed he is prepared to do exactly that and would not even seek a six-figure salary from his next employer, accepting a cut of more than two thirds to secure playing opportunities.
Such a reduction will make Sterling affordable to a wider range of clubs. Though it has been some time since he was at the peak of his powers, the player remains a seasoned professional. At 31, and four appearances shy of 400 in the Premier League, he still carries the experience and capability to contribute at a high level.
Any club interested will weigh Sterling’s recent lack of competitive minutes and his previous salary against his experience and potential upside. The reported willingness to accept a substantially lower wage changes the dynamics of the market for him and explains why multiple teams, including Tottenham, Napoli and Juventus, are now said to be considering a move.
