It will be fascinating to see what the future holds for Manchester City attacker Jack Grealish. It certainly seems like it will be away from the Etihad Stadium, with Pep Guardiola saying earlier in the summer that “I don’t know” if he will leave.
There have been links with a move away, of course. The most recent club to enquire about the 29-year-old was Everton. It was reported earlier this week that the Toffees were keen to accelerate a deal with City over a season-long loan for the England international, although it remains to be seen if a move will progress this summer.
Instead, City could use Grealish as part of a deal to sign a long-term target, who they are once again linked with, and could be the second coming of the England international.
Man City’s Grealish solution
It has recently been reported by Brazilian journalist Jorge Nicola that City could look to use Grealish as a makeweight in a deal to sign West Ham United and Brazil attacking midfielder Lucas Paqueta this summer.
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That would see City’s number 10 move to the London Stadium, and they manage to knock money off the £50m package the Hammers have requested for Paqueta. A player plus cash deal is something the Citizens are ‘pushing’ to do this summer.
The former Lyon midfielder has been a long-term target for Guardiola, and the club have assessed a possible transfer for the last few summers.
In theory, this part-exchange deal is smart business from City, but Grealish would also need to be open to the move to the capital, or else it would fall through.
Why Paqueta would be a good signing
At 27 years of age, Paqueta is the talisman of this West Ham side, along with captain Jarrod Bowen. Last season, the versatile Brazilian was not at his best, but when at the top of his game, he is a “magical” player, according to Statman Dave.
Indeed, it was a quiet campaign for the former Flamengo midfielder. He failed to register an assist in any competition, playing 36 games in total. He did find the back of the net five times, with four of those strikes coming in the Premier League.
Generally speaking, though, the numbers that Paqueta has put up during his West Ham career have been strong. He’s played 120 games for the Hammers, scoring 18 times and assisting a further 14.
His most memorable assist in Claret and Blue came in the Europa Conference League final, where he teed up Bowen with a perfectly-weighted through ball for the winner.
In many ways, the 27-year-old would join City as the direct replacement for Grealish. The England international does seem like he will leave the club this summer, with West Ham now seeming like a possible destination amid their move for Paqueta.
In 157 appearances as a City player, Grealish found the back of the net 17 times and assisted 23. His best season came in the treble-winning campaign of 2022/23, where he contributed 16 goal involvements.
There are similarities between both players, which could make Paqueta seem like the second coming of Grealish. Both were one of the best players at their previous, or in Paqueta’s case, current clubs. Indeed at Aston Villa, the Englishman “was the talisman and everything went through him”, as per Dave Woodhall, editor of Villa fanzine Heroes & Villains.
Their versatility is a key trait, too. Grealish has played on both wings, as a number 10, a number eight and even as a striker for City. Likewise, so has the West Ham star in East London, as well as playing as a number six.
Comparing the numbers on FBref of each player since Paqueta has been a Premier League player, it is easy to see the similarities.
For example, the Brazil star averaged 1.56 passes into the penalty box and 0.43 goal-creating actions per 90 minutes, compared to Grealish’s 2.11 passes into the penalty area and 0.62 goal-creating actions each game.
Goals and assists
0.26
0.43
Passes into penalty area
1.56
2.11
Progressive passes
6.15
4.8
Goal-creating actions
0.43
0.62
Ball recoveries
6.13
4.23
Whatever way City decide to structure this deal, it seems like Paqueta could become the second coming of Grealish. There are plenty of similarities between the two, and Guardiola would love the 27-year-old to replicate the impact City’s number 10 has had at times.
For £50m, or exchanging Grealish and rescuing the fee, this is certainly an exciting deal for City fans.
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