West Ham United battle to keep ‘unsettled’ Lucas Paqueta amid fresh Manchester City talks
Manchester City are in fresh negotiations for West Ham United’s Lucas Paqueta, according to the Telegraph’s Jason Burt.
The journalist tweeted (15 August) that the Hammers considered City’s previous bids too low, but that the Brazilian is unsettled at West Ham.
The Daily Mail reported (14 August) that David Moyes’ side had rejected a £60million offer for the midfielder, but that a deal worth £80million could be enough to prize the 25-year-old away from the London Stadium.
Burt said: “Manchester City are in fresh talks to sign Lucas Paqueta. West Ham believe they are bidding too low but it appears the Brazilian international is unsettled.”
Relentless
With the news that Manchester City’s star midfielder Kevin De Bruyne is set for up to four months on the sidelines, the Citizens will be even more eager now to get Paqueta through the door.
With Burt’s update regarding the potential deal, it looks more and more likely that yet another star West Ham midfielder could make a big-money move to the Premier League Top 6.
In typical manager fashion, Guardiola has previously refused to comment on the Brazilian international’s links to a move to Manchester, but they have wanted midfield reinforcement all summer, and in De Bruyne’s absence, a deal for Paqueta may be fast-tracked.
The Hammers have seemingly been quick to consider replacement options which imply they may feel the sale will go through. The Daily Mail claimed (14 August) that Rennes’ Croatian international Lovro Majer is being considered, while Fabrizio Romano tweeted (14 August) that West Ham have opened initial talks with Ajax for Mohammed Kudus.
With the window closing sooner rather than later, the Hammers face a busy and potentially sad ending to their summer business.
In other West Ham news, the Hammers’ failed pursuit of Harry Maguire has caused them to set their sights on a Bundesliga centre-back.