Man City are prepared to pay £60m for Lucas Paqueta; the Brazilian is very keen on a move to the Premier League champions; watch Man City's first Premier League game of the season versus Burnley on Friday Night Football from 6.30pm; kick-off 8pm
Thursday 10 August 2023 10:05, UK
Manchester City and West Ham have held talks about the potential transfer of Lucas Paqueta, who is very keen on a move to the Premier League champions.
Two sources have told Sky Sports News that Premier League champions City are prepared to pay £60m for the midfielder.
However, there has been no formal City bid for the player yet.
Paqueta has four years left on his West Ham contract. The Europa Conference League winners signed him from Lyon for £51m last August but the player would be open to leaving if City make a bid.
West Ham do not want to sell Paqueta this summer even if the price is right. They feel they would not have enough time to sign a replacement with the Premier League starting this weekend.
Paqueta has a £85m buyout clause in his contract but it cannot be triggered until next summer.
However, the player would find it very difficult to turn down a move to Manchester City, with there being the opportunity work with Pep Guardiola.
West Ham have already lost captain and midfielder Declan Rice to Arsenal this summer, with the England international moving for £105m.
West Ham have a strong interest in Manchester City forward Cole Palmer.
It is understood the Hammers are exploring a loan deal for the 21-year-old.
But it has not been confirmed if a potential deal for Palmer is part of any discussions over City's pursuit of Paqueta.
Palmer scored against Arsenal for City in the Community Shield on Sunday.
Meanwhile, West Ham have an agreement in principle with Manchester United to sign defender Harry Maguire in a deal worth in the region of £30m.
Personal terms are not expected to be a problem but there is still work to do on the details of his exit from United.
West Ham, though, are cautiously optimistic about completing the signing having had a £20m bid for the England international rejected last month.
Maguire trained with Man Utd on Wednesday morning ahead of their Premier League opener against Wolves on Monday Night Football.
West Ham are also set to sign Southampton midfielder James Ward-Prowse with the transfer to be completed on Friday.
The deal is worth the £30m that was rejected last month but with more favourable payment terms and conditions for Southampton.
Talks are ongoing over when the deal can be finalised as it's believed Saints want him to play against Norwich this weekend.
West Ham don't want him risked ahead of such a big-money move and one source has told Sky Sports News that Ward-Prowse is keen to make the move as soon as possible but would like the chance to say goodbye to the Southampton fans.
Personal terms are not expected to be a problem.
Meanwhile, there are question marks over the future of West Ham forward Michail Antonio amid interest from Saudi Arabia.
Who will be on the move this summer when the transfer window opens on June 14 and closes at 11pm on September 1 in England and midnight in Scotland?
Keep up to date with all the latest transfer news and rumours in our dedicated Transfer Centre blog on Sky Sports' digital platforms. You can also catch up with the ins, outs and analysis on Sky Sports News.
