Manchester City are determined to come back stronger this summer. According to information from Globo Esporte, the English club recently made an offer of 437 million reals (over 80 million euros) to sign Lucas Paqueta (25 years old). West Ham are yet to respond to the offer, but are expected to shell out a very high sum for the former Lyonnais should he reject it. The Hammers have good reason to be tentative after losing several key players this summer, including Declan Rice (transferred to Arsenal for over 115 million euros) or striker Gianluca Scamaca (25 million euros to Atalanta Bergamo).
West Ham have already made a good deal this summer
David Moyes’ squad is still under-strength despite being rich in coffers and he will not rush to sign a player considered part of the workforce, having just arrived from Lyon last summer. West Ham then paid €61 million (including bonuses) to acquire the Brazil international (42 caps, 9 goals). During the sale, Lyon negotiated a 10% interest on future capital gains in the event of a transfer.
The attacking midfielder was one of the key players in David Moyes’ men last season (41 games, 5 goals, 7 assists), which ended with the Conference League title but a modest 14th-place finish in the Premier League. Manchester City had already considered the player last summer as a possible replacement for Bernardo Silva. The eventual Champions League champions are going on the attack this time around, while the Portuguese attacking midfielder, courted by PSG and then Barca, should once again stay at the club.
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Much-appreciated by West Ham fans, Paqueta, under contract until 2027 (plus an optional year), will not be forced to leave, Globo Esporte has assured. Manchester City are still set for a tough fight in the transfer market, following the signings of Croatian defender Josco Guardiol (for €90 million from Leipzig) and compatriot Mato Kovacic (for €30 million from Chelsea).
Article originally published on RMC Sport