Man City ‘in talks for shock £70m transfer of West Ham star.. but Hammers holding out for more money’
MANCHESTER CITY are in talks with West Ham over a £70m move for Lucas Paqueta, reports in Brazil say.
City are in the market for a playmaker having lost Riyad Mahrez and Ilkay Gundogan this summer.
According to Brazilian outlet ge globo, the Hammers have already received the huge offer for Paqueta.
But West Ham are said to be reluctant to sell the attacker and would demand more than the £70m that has been tabled.
Paqueta became the London club’s record signing in 2022, joining from Lyon for £53m.
He scored five in 43 games last season, helping West Ham to the Uefa Europa Conference League trophy.
West Ham have £105m to play with after selling Declan Rice to Arsenal.
And as revealed by SunSport, they have agreed a £35m deal for Ajax midfielder Edson Alvarez.
Mexican Alvarez, 25, is seen as a direct replacement for Rice – and is expected to fly to London in the to complete his medical.
West Ham saw an opening £30m bid rejected for the player, but have now settled on a fee which includes add-ons and a sell-on clause on a five-year deal.
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Alvarez – who had two years left on his contract with the Dutch giants – only landed back in Amsterdam on Monday morning from his summer holiday in Mexico, but is ready to get the switch completed as soon as possible.
West Ham are confident Alvarez will be available to face Bournemouth in their Premier League opener on Saturday should there be no issues with his medical in East London.
It is understood owner David Sullivan has taken a hands-on approach following West Ham’s struggles to get several deals over the line during the window.
West Ham have so far failed in moves for James Ward-Prowse, Joao Palhinha, Harvey Barnes, Harry Maguire – who is said to have had several calls with David Moyes – Conor Gallagher, Scott McTominay and Carlos Borges.
There has been reported tension between boss Moyes and new technical director Tim Steidten, with the former wanting established British players and the latter eyeing up young European talents.
However, Alvarez appears to be a transfer that pleases all parties – with Moyes hopeful this will kick-start a late surge before their clash with the Cherries.