City, who won the Premier League, UEFA Champions League, and FA Cup last season, had tried to sign Paqueta last summer but backed off when the Football Association started investigating possible betting rule violations involving him, particularly concerning yellow cards.
The investigation revolves around suspicious betting activities, and it's still ongoing. Despite this, Paqueta maintains his innocence, with his representatives believing that the truth will come out and the issue will be resolved by the end of the season.
Despite the probe, the 26-year-old remains highly regarded by Pep Guardiola, and according to reports, he's seen as a potential addition to City's midfield if interest in Bernardo Silva intensifies.
Last season, Paqueta was valued at £80m when City showed interest in him. He joined West Ham for over £50m, meaning the club could make a substantial profit if they sell him for their asking price. Paqueta still has three years left on his current contract with West Ham, with an option to extend for another year.
This season, Paqueta has made 27 appearances for West Ham, scoring five goals and providing six assists across all competitions. Meanwhile, Silva, who is now 29, has two more seasons left on his contract with City after extending it at the start of the season.
However, Silva has attracted interest from several clubs, including Paris Saint-Germain, who are bracing to lose Kylian Mbappe in a few months, and teams from the Saudi Pro League keen on signing top European players.
The departures of Cole Palmer and Riyad Mahrez emphasized the importance of keeping Silva at City this season, although he has openly expressed his desire to return to Benfica at some point in his career.
So far this Premier League season, Silva has made 22 appearances for City, scoring six goals and providing four assists.
