Manchester City make £70m offer for West Ham United star Lucas Paqueta
Manchester City have made a £70million bid for West Ham and Brazil star Lucas Paqueta, according to Ge Globo.
The Brazil outlet reported overnight on 8 August that the London club have yet to respond to the huge offer, but are expected to decline and ask for an even higher transfer fee, as a result of other reported asking prices.
West Ham have faced struggles in the transfer market with clubs demanding extortionate fees for their key players, and following the £105million sale of Declan Rice to Arsenal will look to test City’s resolve with demands for a ridiculous transfer sum.
How high can City’s bid go
West Ham know, as everyone else does, that Manchester City have money to burn. As a result, they are likely to ask for a similar fee they received for Rice, for a player who the club likely view as their new superstar.
Not only has he turned in consistent classy performances for West Ham, but Paqueta is a regular starter in the Brazil national team, which is no easy feat given the level of talent there. His excellent relationship with PSG star Neymar has resulted in some sublime displays from Brazil.
His experience with the national team is arguably more of a sign that he would fit in with Pep Guardiola’s side than his displays for West Ham. In East London, he plays a role in what is ultimately a rigid system under David Moyes, but with Brazil, he is allowed to shine.
Reports suggest Guardiola’s interest in Paqueta dates back to last season before the player’s £50million move to the Hammers when he was considered an option to replace Bernardo Silva if he had left the club, but ultimately nothing came to be.
Manchester City’s interest appears to be strong, but it will be up to West Ham to test how strong it really is and squeeze the highest possible fee out of them.
In other West Ham news, the club are working on doing another deal ASAP following the arrival of Edson Alvarez.