Manchester City are eyeing West Ham United’s midfielder Lucas Paqueta, reported ESPN on Wednesday.
City have already made an initial approach to the London club but have not yet made a formal offer for the Brazilian.
Paqueta, who joined the Hammers last summer on a £36.5 million deal from Lyon, is valued at around £70 million by the club which City are ready to pay to acquire the Brazilian’s services as he is rated highly by head coach Pep Guardiola.
However, despite an offer that may seem too good to refuse, West Ham may not let the midfielder leave as they have already lost their captain Declan Rice to Arsenal for a £105m fee.
Rice led his team to a European triumph as David Moyes’ men won the UEFA Conference League last season.
It is further reported that City’s interest in Paqueta have nothing to do with the future of Bernardo Silva, who wants to take on a new challenge with FC Barcelona trying to get the Portuguese’s signature.
However, despite strong interest from Paris Saint Germain (PSG), Barca and the Saudi Pro League, Man City are confident that they will be able to keep the 28-year-old footballer as he is one of the most important players for Guardiola.
The English champions sold Riyad Mahrez to Saudi club Al-Ahli for a £30m fee last month and do not want to lose Bernardo as he is the first-choice right-winger for the club.
It seems like Ilkay Gundogan’s departure is becoming a headache for Guardiola as despite signing Mateo Kovacic from Chelsea, a player he wanted the most, the Croatian’s signing may not be it as the Spaniard wants to further strengthen his midfield by signing Paqueta.
It must be noted that City confirmed the signing of Josko Gvardiol from RB Leipzig on a five-year deal on Saturday (August 5).
Gvardiol, 21, emerged as a top target for Guardiola last season. The English champions faced Leipzig in the Champions League last season during round of 16 where they beat the German club 8-1 on aggregate.