If Manchester City or any other European club want to sign Lucas Paquetá from Flamengo, then they will have to pay for his release clause. That’s what the Brazilian club director Carlos Noval has told the local media today.
Interviewed by Globo Esporte, Noval has mostly spoken about Vinícius Junior, who’s leaving the club for Real Madrid in a €45m deal.
But with Paquetá now being the next one to be chased by European giants, the director also made the 21-year-old’s situation clear.
Asked about the approaches, Noval said: “There always is. Paquetá has stood out a lot, he is one of the best players in Brazil. Nothing official came. There is always speculation. From the moment something arrives, we will talk to the agent and the athlete.
“Our idea is always to hold. But if they pay the clause, there is no way. But the idea is to make a career plan and make Paquetá become an idol here. At first, he only leaves for the clause.”
On Monday, Brazilian outlet Esporte Interativo claimed that Manchester City were thinking of paying the amount to trigger Paquetá’s release clause.
We pointed out that that was not the best source of news in Brazil. However, reliable outlet UOL claimed that there’s an English club with some strong interest in the player, having already spoken to his agent.
In case this club turns out to be Manchester City, then we could have a great transfer story for the summer, as Paquetá’s talent is undoubtedly exciting.
According to reports in Brazil, the release clause is €48m.
