You wouldn’t think that Manchester City were being investigated for 115 potential breaches of Financial Fair Play, would you?

Mind, the Sky Blues’ accounts suggest they’re making more money from commercial deals than Real Madrid and Liverpool, so what do we know?

Pep Guardiola’s men have now reportedly followed up the signing of Cavan Sullivan with a move for Lucas Paqueta. Foot Mercato’s Santi Aouna reports on X (formerly Twitter) that the incumbent champions have ‘an agreement on personal terms’ with the clubs expected to enter negotiations in the summer.

EXCL: #PL |

Manchester City have an agreement on personal terms (contract duration, salary) with Lucas Paquetá on long term contract

No negotiations or talks taking place between West Ham and Manchester City but the player's agents expect clubs to negotiate a… pic.twitter.com/lxupqcgXbK

— Santi Aouna (@Santi_J_FM) April 8, 2024

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Who are Liverpool interested in?

Jacque Talbot of Football Transfers reported on our interest in Leeds United wide man Crysencio Summerville.

The Dutchman’s potential move to Anfield, however, may be directly tied to the futures of Luis Diaz and Mo Salah.

Our interest in Ruben Amorim’s centre-halves at Sporting Lisbon, Goncalo Inacio and Ousmane Diomande, has been long-documented. We’ll be particularly intrigued to see if one of the pairing moves over with the Portuguese head coach, should he take up a role with Liverpool in the summer.

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The post ‘Agreement on personal terms’: Santi Aouna expects move to be a formality – Rival watch appeared first on The Empire of The Kop.

It’s not often that an opposition player is clapped off the pitch by home supporters but as Lucas Paqueta was removed from the field against Liverpool, he thanked our supporters.

It could all be down to the fact that Danny Ings was the man replacing the Brazilian, with it being common that Anfield welcomes back a former player but the midfielder seemed convinced the clap was for him.

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It was probably a combination of the two, as the 26-year-old was hugely impressive and it was hard to ignore his performance on what was a tough day for West Ham as a team.

You can watch the footage and be the judge yourselves but it’s safe to say that the 50,136 fans inside the stadium had plenty of reason to applaud both men.

You can view the footage of Paqueta’s substitution (from 1:35:28) via LFCTV Go:

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The post (Video) Paqueta thanks Liverpool fans as Anfield erupts in applause when he was subbed off appeared first on The Empire of The Kop.

James Pearce noticed how Jurgen Klopp was ‘raging on the touchline’ over the manner in which Liverpool fell behind to West Ham in the first few minutes of tonight’s Premier League clash.

Having survived an early let-off after a Virgil van Dijk error, the Reds weren’t so lucky in the 12th minute as Lucas Paqueta put the Irons in front.

The Brazilian was allowed to cut inside from the left flank and play a one-two with Michail Antonio before curling an unstoppable shot past Alisson.

Liverpool’s defending left a lot to be desired, a sentiment with which the manager agreed judging by what Pearce noticed.

The journalist tweeted: “Klopp raging on the touchline. It’s a great strike from just outside the box but it was far too easy for Paqueta to get into that position.”

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The German had every right to be enraged by his players’ efforts in the lead-up to Paqueta’s goal.

The manner in which he ghosted past Fabinho in playing the one-two with Antonio was particularly galling, while nobody closed him down as he had time and space to unleash his shot, which Alisson was powerless to prevent.

Thankfully, Cody Gakpo equalised shortly afterwards to restore parity, but Liverpool can’t afford the defensive lapses which characterised the build-up to the opening goal tonight if they’re to reel in the gap to the top four in the final month of the season.

You can see Pearce’s tweet and the Paqueta goal below, courtesy of @JamesPearceLFC and @btsportfootball respectively:

Klopp raging on the touchline. It's a great strike from just outside the box but it was far too easy for Paqueta to get into that position.

— James Pearce (@JamesPearceLFC) April 26, 2023

3 goals in 3 games

Lucas Paquetá fires West Ham into the lead against Liverpool pic.twitter.com/YxrwF6fhxE

— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) April 26, 2023

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The post ‘Far too easy’ – James Pearce bemoans moment which left Jurgen Klopp ‘raging on the touchline’ appeared first on The Empire of The Kop.

One West Ham insider has shared some early team news from the east London club ahead of their Premier League clash against Liverpool on Wednesday night.

Trusted source Claret & Hugh has reported that the Irons are hopeful of having both Lucas Paqueta and Michail Antonio fit for the Reds’ visit to the London Stadium.

The two players shipped knocks during the Hammers’ 4-0 win at Bournemouth on Sunday and were substituted on the south coast, although it now seems those changes could’ve been merely precautionary.

Those substitutions were made during the second half, by which stage West Ham had a 3-0 lead, with the Brazilian going off after the fourth goal had been scored.

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Antonio and Paqueta were both on the scoresheet inside the opening 12 minutes against the Cherries, taking their respective goal tallies for the season to 12 and four (Transfermarkt), so they could pose a threat to Liverpool on Wednesday if they’re fit enough to feature.

The Jamaica forward was also on target twice in West Ham’s 4-1 win over Gent in the Europa Conference League last Thursday, so he goes into the midweek clash in resurgent form.

He’s had plenty of joy against us in the past, too, scoring five times past the Reds, although the most recent of those was in a 1-1 draw in February 2019 (Transfermarkt).

If Antonio and Paqueta are available for the Irons on Wednesday, it’d certainly be a boost to David Moyes’ side.

Even if they miss out, though, Klopp and Liverpool will be wary of their opponents’ upturn in form, unbeaten in their last five matches (drawing against Premier League leaders Arsenal in that time) and scoring eight goals in their previous two games.

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Liverpool’s list of missed midfield targets is either impeccably long or impeccably short depending on the fan in question.

After responding to Lyon president Jean-Michel Aulas’ comments to beINSports on Lucas Paqueta’s move to West Ham on Twitter, Jose Enrique has perhaps helped to highlight that the Brazilian may very well have attracted a late move from the Reds prior to his switch to West Ham.

Following prior updates from Athletic journalists, it would seem more likely than not that Jurgen Klopp’s men were the interested party in question – though Empire of the Kop cannot confirm this for certain.

If this is true and west ham can beat us signing players because we don't want to spend is a joke pic.twitter.com/1rVce2hgh9

— José enrique (@Jesanchez3) August 30, 2022

The German tactician has noted that we remain very much on the hunt for another midfield star, though the financial reality of conducting business at this late stage in the window does add a layer of complication to any potential deal.

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Given how limited the pool of available options appears to be at this stage of the window, we’d be surprised to see an appropriate midfield signing identified and, critically, acquired before the deadline.

Still, with Klopp having confirmed injury return dates for the likes of Thiago Alcantara as Curtis Jones makes it back to team training, it’s perhaps a concern that will soon be resolved on its own.

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The post Liverpool likely mystery English club that attempted last-minute transfer hijack for PL rival’s new 11-goal midfielder – report appeared first on The Empire of The Kop.

Liverpool have categorically denied having any interest in signing Brazilian star Lucas Paqueta.

It was recently reported Paqueta’s agent Eduardo Uram was spotted on Merseyside as part of a visit related to interest from the Reds in his client.

The Flamengo star was first rumoured as a Liverpool target back in June, at the same time as a £40million release clause in his contract was revealed.

Paqueta’s high intensity pressing style and reputation as one of Brazilian football’s most gifted upcoming playmakers conveniently matched Jurgen Klopp’s criteria amid his pursuit of a new no.10.

Those suggestions have since been deemed misguided, with the Evening Standard’s David Lynch reporting that Anfield sources are ‘baffled’ by the claims.

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Paquete has meanwhile been strongly linked with AC Milan, with the Italian giants having supposedly fended off competition from Paris Saint-Germain for his signature.

The 21-year-old has been with current side Flamengo since the age of 10 and made his senior debut as a teenager back in 2016.

He has registered nine goals and two assists in 24 league games so far this season, with the South American’s impression on the domestic stage earning him a place on Brazil’s 12-man backup list for their World Cup squad in Russia.

Though Paqueta won’t be arriving in January, one man who could be is Aaron Ramsey.

Liverpool have emerged as frontrunners to table an offer for the Welshman after it was revealed Arsenal had withdrawn their contract offer and seemingly confirmed the end of his Emirates stay.

With his current deal set to expire next summer, he could be shipped out after the turn of the year in order to salvage a fee.

The post Liverpool forced to respond after Lucas Paqueta’s agent is ‘spotted’ on Merseyside appeared first on The Empire of The Kop.

It may not be quite time for the ‘Welcome to Liverpool’ Youtube compilations, but it’s certainly worth digging a little deeper into the Brazilian sensation whose agent may or may not have been in Liverpool on Friday.

The representative of Lucas Paqueta was reportedly on Merseyside earlier this week amid rumours linking his client to a number of European clubs, one of those being Jurgen Klopp’s Reds.

Eduardo Uram could have simply been visiting as a tourist and an avid admirer of Liverpool Cathedral, he could have merely been in town to market another of his multiple players, or he could have been finalising a big-money move to England for his prized asset. We know which one we’d like to believe, whether realistic or not.

With all that said and done, who is Lucas Paqueta?

The 21-year-old currently plies his trade in homeland Brazil with Campeonato Brasileiro Série A side Flamengo, where he has been since the age of 10.

Paqueta was promoted to the senior team in 2016 and subsequently signed a first professional contract keeping him at the club until 2020.

After making the bench on six occasions during the 2015/2016 campaign, he made his senior league debut as a teenager in May 2017 with a 14 minute cameo Atlético Paranaense.

He has since registered 12 goals and five assists in 57 Série A appearances to assert himself as another enthralling prospect to emerge from Brazilian football’s factory of attacking talent.

The South American finds himself in the middle of his most productive season, with two goals in Friday’s win over Corinthians taking his league tally to nine in 25 games.

Such has been his lasting impression that he was rewarded with a place on the 12-man list of backups for Brazil’s World Cup squad in Russia.

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https://twitter.com/BrazilStat/status/1048323534693588993

Much of the focus on Paqueta has circled around his expressive attacking flair and the touch of individual ingenuity so often associated with products of South American futsal arenas.

He is both a slippery manipulator of the ball capable of drifting beyond multiple markers, as well as a devoted enforcer of his side’s work rate and intensity.

Some may recall a recent viral video of his unyielding efforts to retain possession from one side of the pitch to the other, before expressing his dismay at the sight of his teammates failing to follow suit.

Besides possessing some frightening footwork, he also has an incisive eye for a pass with which he is able to exploit from all areas of the pitch. Though he lines up primarily as a central-playmaker, Paqueta has a proven tendency to operate across the width of the pitch as a means of getting himself on the ball regularly.

There is an explosiveness to his game that enables him to break the lines and initiate attacks from deep, not to mention an intelligence to dispose of the ball wisely.

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Paqueta has also been heavily linked to AC Milan, with Calciomercato recently reporting that the Italian giants are in a strong position to sign him in the January transfer window.

Both Manchester clubs have also been tipped as possible suitors, whilst Le 10 Sport have noted Paris Saint-Germain as favourites to land him.

PremiumSportHD’s Andersinho Marques, the man behind the claims Paqueta’s agent was in Liverpool, was the first to establish a connection back in June.

In doing so, he suggested interest on the Reds’ part as well as revealing a £40million release clause in Paqueta’s current contract.

It seems increasingly unlikely Paqueta will still be playing his football in Brazil come this time next year.

The post Who is Lucas Paqueta? The £40m Brazilian whose agent was ‘spotted’ in Liverpool appeared first on The Empire of The Kop.

The agent of Flamengo playmaker Lucas Paqueta has reportedly been sighted on Merseyside amid reports of interest from Liverpool.

Paqueta has been rumoured as a potential target for a number of European sides in recent months, with Liverpool and Manchester City both supposedly in the race to secure his signature.

He has surfaced as a prominent figure for Flamengo in the Campeonato Brasileiro Serie A over the past year, despite only turning 21 at the end of August.

The attacking midfielder has registered a return of nine goals and two assists so far this season, most recently finding the net twice in Friday’s 3-0 win over Corinthians.

His lasting impression on domestic duty saw him occupy a place on Brazil’s 12-man standby list for their World Cup squad during the summer.

Andersinho Marques of PremiumSportHD reported late on Friday that Paqueta’s agent Eduardo Uram had been in Liverpool that day.

https://twitter.com/Andersinho_ITA/status/1048324194822492160

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Marques was previously one of the first to suggest interest from Liverpool’s side, not to mention Paqueta’s buy-out clause of £40million.

For the purposes of covering all possibilities, it’s worth pointing out that Liverpool may not be the only club in the city keen on recruiting his services.

Paqueta boasts a glowing reputation as one of the latest starlets to emerge from Brazilian football’s ever-intriguing conveyor belt of attacking talent.

A raw flair to his game not only consists of the dazzling footwork so often cultivated in futsal arenas, but the technician’s eye for a pass and a natural eye for goal.

That said, it has perhaps been the exhibitions of his fierce work rate as a leader of his side’s high press that have vindicated unconfirmed links to Liverpool.

The post Agent of £40m Brazilian spotted in Liverpool amid rumours of Klopp interest appeared first on The Empire of The Kop.

Ever heard of Lucas Paqueta?

The Brazilian was linked to us back in the summer, but nothing came of our rumoured interest in the Flamengo attacking midfielder.

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But a clip of his crazy pressing is being shared by plenty of Liverpool fans right now, and it’s like nothing we’ve seen before! He doesn’t actually come away with the ball here, but it’s because his team-mates are not helping him, which would 100% not be an issue under Jurgen Klopp…

Lucas Paqueta’s work rate and pressing is immense. Would fit into Klopps system so well. Since he has been called up to Brazil NT, will be spending some time with Agent Firmino, Fabinho and Alisson. €50M release clause. https://t.co/o0UPwTPz4r

— Moby (@Mobyhaque1) September 3, 2018

Paqueta only just turned 21, but he’s part of Tite’s Brazil squad for their upcoming fixtures with USA and El Salvador.

As a result, he could line up alongside Roberto Firmino, Fabinho and Alisson.

We wanted an attacking midfielder in the summer, having a bid accepted for Nabil Fekir, but we pulled out of the deal when an issue with his knee showed up in the medical.

Paqueta to us seems like a viable future alternative. Not only does he work incredibly hard off the ball, but he has proper ability on it – reminding us very much a young Kaka stylistically.

One to keep an eye on, certainly!

The post Lucas Paqueta’s insane pressing goes viral; Klopp would love Brazilian AMC appeared first on The Empire of The Kop.

We actually stopped playing Football Manager a few years back as adulthood arrived and the addiction of the world’s best computer game became quite damaging!

But we can still remember Lucas Paqueta, the Brazilian attacking midfielder who turned out to be world-class in pretty much every version (including the most recent ones according to those in the know!).

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And today, the 20-year-old is being linked to Liverpool, with our scouts having watched the attacking midfielder over in Maracana, where his side Flamengo plays its football.

The Echo translate a report by TMW that suggests we’re keen on the wonderkid’s services, although they say AC Milan are currently frontrunners and Manchester City have checked him out, too.

Stylistically, Paqueta reminds us of a young Kaka, although he is very left-footed and probably tries more tricks than the former World Player of the Year. He runs with the ball gracefully and is quite rangy for a no.10.

So highly is he rated in his homeland, Tite put him on standby for Brazil’s 2018 World Cup squad.

There’s no word Liverpool’s interest is more than fleeting right now – but it’s an exciting link – nonetheless!

Check out his best bits, below:

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Reports on Saturday linked us with a swoop for Flamengo’s Lucas Paqueta, but the latest claims suggest that we’re not monitoring him.

The 20-year-old was busy making a positive impression this past season, scoring three goals and providing four assists in 15 appearances for the Brazilian outfit in his attacking midfield role.

SEE MORE: Terms agreed: Liverpool tipped to secure deal, fans delighted

As we continue to look to fill the void left behind following the January exit of Philippe Coutinho, it remains to be seen who emerges as the ideal candidate, but it would appear as though Paqueta is not going to be arriving.

The Express had reported that Paqueta, who has a £40m release clause, was on the Liverpool radar following our failure to wrap up a deal for Nabil Fekir.

As per the Mirror’s David Maddock in his tweet below though, it’s been suggested that Liverpool aren’t interested in the Brazilian youngster and so we’re seemingly back at square one.

With Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah providing width along with Roberto Firmino leading the line, adding a quality individual to play through the middle to add more creativity and class could be a crucial move this summer to help us continue to make progress and get closer to landing major honours.

However, it’s imperative that we bring in the right man, following on from the impressive signing of Fabinho already this summer, as per BBC Sport, to add real balance and quality to the line-up.

Despite widespread reports in Brazil, @LFC have zero interest in Lucas Paqueta. The 20 year old Brazil U20 international is being touted as an alternative to Fekir. Liverpool say that’s nonsense.

— David Maddock (@MaddockMirror) June 17, 2018

The post Interest in £40m Brazilian ace rubbished by journo, LFC not eyeing swoop appeared first on The Empire of The Kop.

Liverpool are reportedly interested in the signing of Flamengo midfielder Lucas Paqueta, according to a tweet by Andersinho Marques of Premium Sport.

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The 20-year-old looks an intriguing talent who could be well worth investing in for the future, even if he’s not exactly a household name just yet.

Andersinho’s tweet doesn’t go into much further detail than that, so it’s not even clear if we’ll be moving for him any time soon or merely keeping an eye on his progress.

https://twitter.com/Andersinho_ITA/status/1007581604255019008

For the time being, the Brazilian has done pretty well with Flamengo, notching up 68 first-team appearances already and contributing 11 goals from the middle of the park.

Some of his best moments are available on YouTube, and can be seen below if you’re keen to get a look at him yourself.

Klopp certainly seems to like the challenge of working with young players and developing them, and there definitely seems to be some talent worth tapping into here, but let’s see how this story develops…

The post Brazilian journo claims Liverpool are interested in highly-rated midfielder appeared first on The Empire of The Kop.