Hyrra Features the Latest and Most Talked-About Topstories News and Headlines from Around the World.
⎯ 《 Hyrra • Com 》

West Ham stance on Lucas Paqueta future after Man City lodge £70m bid

2023-08-09 17:20
Manchester City open talks to try and sign Lucas Paqueta from West Ham. A £70m verbal offer has been lodged and turned down, but the player is unsettled at London Stadium.
West Ham stance on Lucas Paqueta future after Man City lodge £70m bid

West Ham United do not intend to sell Lucas Paqueta despite Manchester City making a verbal offer of £70m for the Brazilian, sources have confirmed to 90min.

The 25-year-old established himself as a key player in David Moyes' side during the second half of last season, helping the club to a famous win over Fiorentina in the Europa Conference League final.

But despite that success, and West Ham's subsequent qualification for the Europa League, Paqueta wasn't overly impressed with how the 2022/23 season went, with 90min exclusively revealing in June that the Brazilian has particular concerns about working under Moyes.

Paqueta has had to adapt his style of play to fit into Moyes' system, and although his performance levels significantly improved after the winter World Cup in Qatar, it's clear that the Brazilian's natural instincts are compromised by West Ham sitting deep and looking to hit teams on the counter.

The former AC Milan and Lyon midfielder parted company with his long-term agents earlier this summer, and it's understood his new representation have been assessing potential landing sports for Paqueta during the current transfer window.

Paris Saint-Germain showed interest in Paqueta earlier this summer and have retain an interest in his services, while the recently appointed director of the Saudi Pro League, Michael Emenalo, is keeping abraest of the midfielder's current situation at West Ham too.

90min has also learned of significant interest from Premier League champions Manchester City, who have in fact made a verbal offer of £70m for Paqueta.

West Ham have turned that bid down and have insisted that they do not intend to sell Paqueta, however sources have told 90min that an offer 'too good to turn down' would be considered.

READ MORE FROM 90MIN'S TALKING TRANSFERS TEAM

Whether or not City return for Paqueta remains to be seen, but they certainly have the financial capability to offer West Ham an increased figure - the money at their disposal evidenced by their £90m bid for Declan Rice earlier this summer. It's also rare that City engage in talks unless they have a genuine belief of signing a player.

City's interest stems from their desire to replace Ilkay Gundogan and Riyad Mahrez, who have left for Barcelona and Al Ahli respectively, but isn't believed to be connected to a potential sale of Bernardo Silva. 90min recently reported that Barcelona have made fresh contact with Silva in an attempt to prise the Portuguese international away from City, however his current club have informed that the player that they intend to keep hold of him this summer.

90min further understands that Newcastle's long-term interest in Paqueta has not waned, but a deal may be difficult for them to do because of Financial Fair Play regulations. A loan with obligation to buy appears to be the only way the Magpies could facilitate a move this summer, though that would appear unlikely at this stage.

LISTEN NOW TO 90MIN'S TALKING TRANSFERS PODCAST

On this week's edition of Talking Transfers, part of the 90min podcast network, Scott Saunders is joined by Toby Cudworth, Graeme Bailey and Sean Walsh to discuss Bayern's failed third bid for Harry Kane, whether David Raya may dislodge Aaron Ramsdale as Arsenal's number one goalkeeper, West Ham's bids for Harry Maguire and Scott McTominay & more!

If you can't see this embed, click here to listen to the podcast!

This article was originally published on 90min as West Ham stance on Lucas Paqueta future after Man City lodge £70m bid.