Latest football betting saga could see Newcastle United favourite join Man City

Newcastle United midfielder Sandro TonaliNewcastle United midfielder Sandro Tonali
Newcastle United midfielder Sandro Tonali | Getty Images
The FA charging Lucas Paqueta with alleged betting offences could have severe consequences for Newcastle United

Manchester City could be poised to sign Bruno Guimaraes amid uncertainty over Lucas Paqueta’s future.

The West Ham United midfielder has been charged by the FA for allegedly breaching betting regulations. Paqueta is accused of deliberately getting booked against Leicester City, Aston Villa, Leeds United and Bournemouth in the 2022-23 season. 

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News about Paqueta’s alleged misdemeanours emerged last summer and caused a dream move to Man City to break down. He has been under investigation ever since until finally being slapped with an FA charge.

An FA Statement read: “It's alleged that he (Paqueta) directly sought to influence the progress, conduct, or any other aspect of, or occurrence in these matches by intentionally seeking to receive a card from the referee for the improper purpose of affecting the betting market in order for one or more persons to profit from betting.”

Paqueta - a former Newcastle target - vehemently denies the charges and has until June 3 to respond. He said: "For nine months, I have cooperated with every step of their investigation and provided all the information I can. I deny all the charges in their entirety and will fight with every breath to clear my name.”

Pep Guardiola was expected to reignite his interest in Paqueta before the latest update. The news comes as the latest in a long line of betting scandals in football, with Newcastle midfielder Sandro Tonali serving a 10-month ban after being found guilty by Italian authorities. 

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GiveMeSport claim the Paqueta saga may mean more bad news for the Magpies as City could target Guimaraes. The Toon midfielder, ironically, is Paqueta’s best friend and has long been admired by Guardiola.

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