Lucas Paquetá, a key player for West Ham, is attracting interest from Manchester City as Pep Guardiola seeks to bolster his midfield. While West Ham has shown renewed interest in signing James Ward-Prowse from Southampton, they are hesitant to sell another important player following the departure of Declan Rice. City may test their resolve with a £70m bid for Paquetá, although no official offer has been made yet.
There have been indications that Paquetá feels unsettled and is considering his future. Despite a slow start, the Brazilian international, who became West Ham’s record signing after joining from Lyon for £51m last summer, has established himself as a fan favorite at the London Stadium. He scored five goals last season and became more influential in the final third, providing the assist for Jarrod Bowen’s winner in the Europa Conference League final against Fiorentina.
However, there have been moments when Paquetá hasn’t seemed compatible with David Moyes’ style of play. West Ham thrives on absorbing pressure and hitting on the counterattack, and Paquetá’s effectiveness might be maximized in a possession-dominant team like City. With Ilkay Gündogan’s departure to Barcelona, City has a gap to fill in midfield. They have already signed Mateo Kovacic from Chelsea and were previously interested in Rice before he joined Arsenal for £105m. Additionally, City has lost winger Riyad Mahrez to the Saudi Pro League and may target Crystal Palace’s Michael Olise as a replacement, a player who is also on Chelsea’s radar.
Despite the frustration of selling Rice, West Ham is on the verge of announcing the signing of Mexican midfielder Edson Álvarez as their first summer acquisition. They have agreed on a £32m deal with Ajax and are looking to strengthen their midfield further. West Ham’s £30m bid for Manchester United’s Scott McTominay was rejected, but they are persistently pursuing a deal for Ward-Prowse.
Southampton initially turned down West Ham’s recent offer, which was worth up to £30m, suggesting a potential dead end in negotiations. However, talks have resumed, and the two clubs are inching closer to an agreement for the 28-year-old midfielder. While Southampton values Ward-Prowse at £40m, West Ham is hoping to secure a lower fee.
In their quest for defensive reinforcements, West Ham has made a £30m bid for England center-back Harry Maguire from Manchester United. They are also interested in securing the services of Chelsea’s left-back Ian Maatsen on loan with an option to buy, with sources indicating a potential permanent deal with West Ham.
In summary, West Ham faces a battle to retain Lucas Paquetá as Manchester City shows interest in the midfielder. While West Ham pursues James Ward-Prowse, they are reluctant to part ways with another key player. City may test their resolve with a significant bid, but no official offer has been made yet. There are hints that Paquetá is considering his future, despite his success at West Ham. His playing style may be better suited to a possession-based team like City. West Ham remains active in the transfer market, targeting additional midfielders and defenders. Negotiations for Ward-Prowse and Maguire are ongoing, and there is a possibility of a permanent deal for Maatsen.
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