Manchester City are returning with an improved offer for West Ham playmaker Lucas Paqueta, who wants to join the Treble holders.
The Hammers have already rejected a offer worth an initial £60million, rising to £70m, for the Brazil international.
But City will make a second bid for the attacking midfielder, though anything under £70m is likely to be rejected by the Hammers.
Paqueta has a release clause in his contract that allows him to leave if a rival club offers around £85million, but that isn’t valid until the summer of 2024.
Indeed, it is understood that a bid of £70m plus a further £10m in achievable add-ons this summer may be enough to tempt the London Stadium club into selling Paqueta.
Personal terms over the proposed transfer are yet to be agreed, but are likely to be a formality given City’s spending power.
Paqueta wants to join Pep Guardiola’s side this summer, with Hammers officials – including head coach David Moyes – aware of the player’s wishes.
But having already lost Declan Rice to Arsenal, the east London side are reluctant to lose Paqueta.
However, there is a growing sense that West Ham are ready to sanction Paqueta’s exit to the Etihad Stadium before the transfer deadline provided City table an offer close to next summer’s release clause.
Credit: dailymail.co.uk
