Manchester City are reportedly now in advanced talks to sign Lucas Paqueta from West Ham United.
City have sounded out the Brazilian as a potential signing following the arrivals of Mateo Kovacic and Josko Gvardiol.
City are said to have already tabled a £70 million bid, which has been rejected.
But it seems City are very interested in Paqueta, who is one of West Ham’s best players.
The South American stood out last year in a that struggled in the Premier League, but thrived in Europe.
He arrived at the club last year from Lyon, with West Ham paying the French club just over £50 million.
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Potentially, he could now be moving on after just one season at the London Stadium.
Man City in advanced talks to sign Lucas Paqueta
French outlet Foot Mercato have brought an update on City’s pursuit of Paqueta.
They claimed last night that the Treble winners are now actually in advanced talks to sign the 25-year-old.
It is stated that the operation is ‘likely’ to result in the player moving to the Etihad.
West Ham are reluctant to lose £150,000-a-week star Paqueta and are likely to dig their heels in. Especially after already losing Declan Rice this summer.
They are free to demand a huge fee if they so wish.
There have been reports that Paqueta – branded ‘incredible’ by Declan Rice – does have a release clause worth £85 million.
But apparently it doesn’t actually become active until 2024.
It has also been suggested that City could offer a player plus cash to tempt the Hammers.
Paqueta reports gathering pace
Reports regarding City’s interest in Paqueta are really now starting to gather pace which suggests the club really do what him.
And that is fascinating to consider, because it didn’t really seem like City would move for another.
One wonders what any move for Paqueta could mean for Phil Foden.
Some fans have really wanted to see Pep Guardiola use him in the middle.
But Paqueta signing as well as Kovacic would surely mean that Bernardo Silva gets pushed out to the right, which would not be good for Foden in terms of getting regular minutes.