sport news MAN CITY NOTEBOOK: Treble winners are keeping tabs on West Ham's Lucas Paqueta, ... trends now
The embrace between Pep Guardiola and Lucas Paqueta in the moments before Manchester City’s victory at West Ham United earlier in the season made clear that the potential for a future move still existed.
Paqueta had seen hopes of a summer transfer dashed after Mail Sport revealed that the Football Association had launched an investigation into alleged betting breaches and is understood to remain open to a switch north.
The 26-year-old is back in the Brazil squad for their blockbuster friendlies with England and Spain after missing the September, October and November camps – despite continuing to play for the Hammers.
Paqueta handed over his phone to help the investigation and there has been frustration in Brazil at the length of time it’s taking to come to a conclusion.
While there are noises that the probe is reaching a close, the FA remain tight-lipped on the situation and Paqueta is still in the dark.
Earlier this season, Pep Guardiola and Lucas Paqueta had a warm embrace on the touchline
Manchester City view the West Ham playmaker as a possible replacement for Bernardo Silva
City are willing to wait for the central midfielder, seen as an obvious long-term replacement for Bernardo Silva once the Portuguese ends his stay at the Etihad Stadium.
But player and both clubs require clarity soon ahead of the summer window, when it’s thought that an £86million release clause can be activated.
Ticket tout-rageCity have moved to clamp down on the issue of ticket touts, who are becoming an increasing problem at home matches.
The Premier League champions are recruiting a ticket compliance manager, whose primary role will be to investigate ticket re-sale misuse.
A number of complaints have been fielded over touting at the Etihad Stadium and on external websites over the past year, with the increase of casual one-off fans.
One common problem is touts purchasing junior tickets and selling them on as adult seats, leading stewards refusing entry amid more stringent checks at the turnstiles over recent weeks.
Tickets for this month’s title clash with Arsenal are already listed at thousands of pounds. One site has three on offer, sat next to each other in the main stand next to the away bench, at £4,050 – and that doesn’t include any VIP treatment. Available tickets online, away from the club’s exchange scheme, are at least three
