West Ham United transfer news: Lucas Paqueta could cost Manchester City more than £85m
West Ham United could demand more than £85m to let Lucas Paqueta join Manchester City this summer, according to The Sun.
Writing on their website (9 April), the news outlet report that Pep Guardiola’s side were willing to pay £85m last summer before a betting charge from the FA took a deal off the table.
It emerged last summer that the Brazilian superstar has an £85m release clause in his contract that becomes active this summer, but according to The Sun David Moyes’ side could demand an “eye-watering” fee that exceeds that amount.
West Ham must get as much money as possible if Paqueta leaves
The Irons have done really well to build a squad capable of competing with the very best sides in England and in Europe, and Paqueta is a big part of that.
The club broke their transfer record to bring him in and he made an immediate impact by helping the team win the Europa Conference League, while this season he has stepped up as a leader since Declan Rice left.
But Manchester City are one of the top clubs in world football and if they come in for Paqueta, he will no doubt be keen to make the move and test himself at the highest level.
The reported release clause leaves the club a small chance of negotiations and little leverage in any deal, but if they have the option of being able to get more then they absolutely should.
In the current market Paqueta is easily a £100m player and the Hammers have no pressure to sell him, so fingers crossed the talk of a clause is wrong and The Sun are right about this.
In other West Ham news, the Hammers are willing to offer one Champions League ace over £82k p/w to join them this summer.
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