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.”
Arsenal
Midwinter Market: Big-money valuations and loan manoeuvres dominate the rumour mill
Transfers: Leão to Arsenal; Bellingham priced; Pepi medical booked; loan interest grows. Many clubs.
The transfer chatter remains dominated by high fees and pragmatic loan options as clubs across Europe prepare for significant summer moves. Arsenal have been linked with AC Milan forward Rafael Leão, a target reported to command $92.3 million (£69.1 million, €80 million) as the Gunners weigh reinforcement options amid speculation over Gabriel Martinelli.
Manchester United’s interest in Joshua Zirkzee has cooled as the striker plots a return to Serie A. His likely Italian suitors, including Juventus, Milan and Napoli, are reportedly only interested in a loan deal.
Manchester City have pursued Barcelona center back Pau Cubarsí with what has been described as an “obsession.” City are understood to have proposed a swap involving Omar Marmoush as a potential makeweight in the negotiations.
Arsenal are also the centre of a different story, with Crystal Palace, Everton and West Ham United all exploring a loan move for Arsenal’s “frustrated” left back Myles Lewis-Skelly.
Chelsea are active on several fronts. They have submitted offers for Borussia Dortmund’s Serhou Guirassy, while also being linked to Inter target Alessandro Bastoni. Inter rejected an initial Barcelona approach of up to $75 million (€65 million) and are reported to be asking closer to $92.3 million. Guirassy has been floated as a replacement option and could be available for $69.2 million (€60 million), with Chelsea and Inter among those said to have made offers.
Chelsea are also said to be close to signing Valentín Barco from Strasbourg, a move described as at an “advanced stage.” Meanwhile, Aston Villa are demanding a club-record fee in excess of $133.5 million (£100 million) for Morgan Rogers amid Chelsea interest.
On the wider market, Real Madrid are willing to listen to offers for Jude Bellingham, who has been valued at $173 million (£129.6 million, €150 million) and is attracting reported interest from Manchester United and Chelsea. Borussia Dortmund remain confident they can secure a permanent return for Jadon Sancho once his contract at Manchester United expires, with the club “confident” of a deal. Fulham have lined up a medical for Ricardo Pepi in a deal set to be worth $38 million (£28.5 million), and Newcastle United have scouted Lens goalkeeper Robin Risser, valued at $46.1 million (£34.6 million, €40 million).
Man Utd
United Target Tonali as Casemiro Exit Forces Midfield Decision
United weigh Sandro Tonali as Casemiro replacement while Carrick rebuilds midfield urgently. transfer
Michael Carrick’s early impact has refocused Manchester United’s summer planning, and central midfield is a priority. United have collected 22 points from a possible 27 since Carrick took over from the sacked Ruben Amorim, yet Casemiro’s announced departure in the summer will leave a large gap to fill. The five-time Champions League winner has chosen to exit Old Trafford on his terms.
Linked names around Old Trafford include Elliot Anderson, Adam Wharton and Carlos Baleba, but increasing attention has fallen on Newcastle’s Sandro Tonali. The 25-year-old’s creativity, passing range and stamina are repeatedly cited, with his standout quality being the ability to perform those functions from a deep-lying playmaker role. Newcastle benefited from Tonali last term, reaching the Champions League round of 16 after a fifth-placed finish.
The i Paper report that Tonali has “rocketed” up United’s wishlist in recent weeks, a development fuelled in part by public signals from the player’s agent. Giuseppe Riso said: “If he shines at the World Cup, will City or Arsenal be hot on his heels? I don’t know … but it’s very likely. Everyone is waiting for the World Cup; then a thousand scenarios will unfold, but it all kicks off after the World Cup.” Riso named Arsenal and Manchester City in his comments.
Transfer context is congested. Anderson is reportedly on Manchester City’s radar and said to prefer the Etihad, while Adam Wharton is wanted by Liverpool. Brighton have maintained a £100 million ($133 million) valuation for Carlos Baleba, a price United were not prepared to meet last summer. Tonali would likely cost comparable sums, and Newcastle are unlikely to be forced into a sale at a reduced fee. He has more than three years remaining on his contract and Newcastle did not include a release clause when signing him from AC Milan.
United’s midfield blueprint must account for Bruno Fernandes’ attacking influence and Kobbie Mainoo’s potential, while replacing Casemiro’s presence. Recruitment this summer will be shaped by those realities and the scenarios Riso outlined, especially once the World Cup concludes. Italy, incidentally, are yet to qualify and must come through unscathed from the UEFA playoffs against Northern Ireland and one of Wales and Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Premier League
Summer window heats up as Premier League clubs circle multiple targets
Pulisic’s price, Rodri’s desire to leave, and multiple Premier League clubs tracking summer targets.
A busy summer transfer window is taking shape with several Premier League clubs linked to a broad list of targets across Europe and beyond.
AC Milan have set an asking price of $86.2 million (€75 million, £64.8 million) for winger Christian Pulisic, who is the subject of increasing interest from clubs in the Premier League. Fernández has interest from Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain, but two Saudi Arabian clubs have also reached out to try and strike a deal for the Chelsea star.
Arsenal are reported to have Tino Livramento and RB Leipzig centre back Castello Lukeba on their list of summer targets. Everton are exploring moves for Ben White and are also looking into a deal to re-sign Man City defender John Stones, who is a target for Wrexham and clubs across both Major League Soccer and the Saudi Pro League.
Manchester United have reached out to Ajax to explore the terms of a move for 20-year-old Mika Godts, who has been compared to Eden Hazard. United also have Beşiktaş midfielder Wilfred Ndidi on their summer radar and plan to explore a swap deal involving goalkeeper Altay Bayındır after a failed January approach.
Manchester City are preparing for the possible departure of Bernardo Silva and are tracking Como forward Nico Paz as a potential replacement. Rodri has informed Man City of his desire to leave at the end of the season. His priority is to return to La Liga, where Real Madrid are known admirers, but a move to Major League Soccer or the Saudi Pro League remains feasible.
Tottenham Hotspur have made contact with representatives of Borussia Dortmund striker Serhou Guirassy as they pursue a summer signing. Liverpool have shown interest in 18-year-old Santos left back Vinícius Lira.
Inter are considering selling Alessandro Bastoni, whose agent has spoken with Barcelona as the club looks to raise funds for summer business. Barcelona remain interested in Bastoni while also considering Pau Torres and Nico Schlotterbeck. Real Madrid want to sell Dani Ceballos this summer but face a battle convincing the midfielder to leave; the only team he wants to join is Real Betis. Real Madrid are also reported to be pushing six players towards the exit door: Dani Carvajal, David Alaba, Antonio Rüdiger, Ferland Mendy, Fran García and Eduardo Camavinga.
West Ham United midfielder Tomáš Souček is likely to leave this summer as his salary would be difficult to sustain in the event of relegation, and manager Nuno Espírito Santo does not see him as part of the future. Manchester United are also ready to listen to offers of $28.7 million (€25 million, £21.6 million) for striker Joshua Zirkzee.
