Qudus SalihuWest Ham United is reportedly preparing one of the most audacious transfer proposals of the 2026 winter window, with the club said to have offered Brazilian playmaker Lucas Paqueta plus a significant fee to Manchester City in exchange for their explosive young winger Savinho.
The news comes as a major shock to the Premier League landscape, particularly as formal talks are reportedly already in place between West Ham’s head coach, Nuno Espirito Santo, and the player. While Savinho has impressed in flashes since his arrival at the Etihad, the promise of becoming the undisputed focal point of the Hammers’ attack under Nuno’s new system is said to be a tempting proposition for the 21-year-old.
The deal would represent a full-circle moment for Lucas Paqueta. The Brazilian was on the verge of an £85 million move to Manchester City in 2023 before a two-year betting investigation—from which he was fully cleared in July 2025—derailed the transfer. Now, with Nuno Espirito Santo looking to put his own stamp on the West Ham squad after taking over in late 2025, the manager is reportedly willing to use his star asset as leverage to secure a more direct, pace-oriented threat like Savinho.
Insiders suggest that Nuno has already held a preliminary “formal talk” with Savinho to outline the “ambitious project” at the London Stadium. The manager’s honest admission to the player reportedly focused on the need for a “difference-maker” on the flanks, promising Savinho the tactical freedom that is often restricted within Pep Guardiola’s rigid positional rotation.
For Manchester City, the prospect of finally landing Paqueta—a player Guardiola has long admired for his technical security and work rate—at a reduced cost is a compelling one. However, the inclusion of Savinho, who City view as a long-term successor to their aging creative corps, remains the significant sticking point.
As the January window nears, the football world is watching closely. If Nuno can convince Savinho to make the move across the capital, it would not only be a “giant step” for West Ham’s European ambitions but also the definitive end to one of the most drawn-out transfer sagas in recent English football history.
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Qudus Salihu
