Manchester City remain keen on signing West Ham’s Brazil midfielder Lucas Paqueta.
City wanted the 26-year-old last summer, and he is seen as a potential long-term replacement for Kevin De Bruyne, who turns 33 in June. Paqueta’s hopes of an £80million move to the Etihad were dashed after City learned of an FA investigation into potential betting rules breaches.
Paqueta remains in the dark about the investigation, but he has continued to play for West Ham and has enjoyed a brilliant season under David Moyes. He has also earned a recall to the Brazil squad and starred against England at Wembley last month.
City brought Matheus Nunes from Wolves for £53m last summer instead, but Guardiola sees Paqueta as a more attacking option.
West Ham’s club-record £53m signing is under contract until 2027, with an option for a further year but is believed to have an £85m release clause valid from June.
Paqueta has eight goals and seven assists in 36 matches this season and is set to play a vital role for the Hammers in their bid for more European glory this season.
Lucas Paqueta is likely to leave West Ham this summer (Action Images via Reuters)
West Ham face unbeaten Bundesliga leaders Bayer Leverkusen away in the first leg of their Europa League quarter-final on Thursday night.
The Hammers, who will fly out to Germany on Wednesday, have been waiting anxiously on the fitness of top-scorer Jarrod Bowen, after he was forced off with a hip problem in Saturday’s dramatic 2-1 win at Wolves.
Bowen has continued to be assessed this week, but Moyes said at the weekend that he was hopeful the forward, who has 19 goals for the Hammers this season, will be fit to play.
“We’ve got to hope he’s okay,” Moyes said. “We need all our top players. He’s had a knee into his hip or back, it’s not a twist. He said he got kneed and he’s really stiff.
“I’ve had one or two of those myself and they don’t go away too quick. I’m hoping it won’t be too bad.”
