Sources: Man City returning with new Lucas Paqueta bid after ‘encouragement’
Man City are continuing to push hard to land West Ham midfielder Lucas Paqueta in the final weeks of the summer window, sources have told Football Insider.
It is believed the treble-winners have already seen a bid of £70million rejected for the 25-year-old – who only joined West Ham last summer (2022).
However, that denial hasn’t put City off and they are now expected to return with a new bid for Paqueta in the coming days.
A well-placed source has told Football Insider that Pep Guardiola’s side have been “encouraged” by the player’s interest in completing a move to the Etihad Stadium.
West Ham now face losing their two prize assets of their 2022-23 campaign this summer, with Declan Rice already completing a nine-figure move to Arsenal.
Paqueta cost the Londoners a club-record reported fee of £51million when he joined from French giants Lyon last summer.
The Brazil international signed a five-year deal upon his arrival at the London Stadium – and that contract can be extended a further 12 months by West Ham.
He managed five goals and seven assists in 43 appearances across all competitions in his debut season in England last term.
Paqueta also starred for Brazil at the World Cup in Qatar as the Selecao were eliminated by Croatia at the quarter-final stage.
Man City have already wrapped up deals for Mateo Kovacic and Josko Gvardiol this summer.
Guardiola is keen to add further reinforcements, however, with key men Ilkay Gundogan and Riyad Mahrez both departing the club in recent months.
In other news, Man City plan to sell duo for £100million as overhaul intensifies.