Agbonlahor can't believe 'wild' new Lucas Paqueta twist at Man City - 'bite their hand off'

Gabby Agbonlahor has hit out at the Man City pursuit of Lucas Paqueta and claimed West Ham should "bite City's hand off" if a bid of £80million arrives.

The former Aston Villa striker, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, claimed both Paqueta, 25, and Mateo Kovacic are a "downgrade" on departed midfielder Ilkay Gundogan.

Football Insider revealed on Tuesday (15 August) that Man City are set to submit a fresh bid for the Brazil international in the next 24 hours - which is expected to be worth more than £80million.

It is believed the treble-winners have already seen a £70million+ bid rejected by West Ham.

Paqueta only joined West Ham for a club-record reported fee of £51million last summer.

He made 41 appearances for the Hammers, scoring five goals and assisting seven as they lifted the Europa Conference League.

The midfielder was part of the West Ham starting lineup which drew 1-1 at Bournemouth on Saturday (12 August).

Agbonlahor told Football Insider's Ewan Kingsbury: “It’s absolutely wild.

“He struggled when he first arrived in the Premier League, and I watched him at the World Cup for Brazil and he wasn’t great.

“In the last few months, he’s started to look like a top player - he started to show glimpses. But is that enough to spend £80million?

“It’s very odd.

“It feels like everyone is worth top money now. It’s wild.

“If I’m West Ham, I’m biting Man City’s hand off for £80million. He’s not worth it.

“City have lost Gundogan - and both Kovacic and Paqueta are a downgrade on him. Maybe they’re panicking a bit.”

In other news, Man City open preliminary talks to sign star winger.