Sources: Paqueta desperate to ditch West Ham, as price to unlock Man City transfer emerges
TEAMtalk has been told of the reasons why Lucas Paqueta is angling to leave West Ham United, and the price that’ll spring a transfer to Manchester City has surfaced.
Paqueta has emerged as a confirmed target of Man City, with reports in Brazil disclosing a verbal offer worth £70m on Tuesday night.
A series of trusted sources added meat on the bones, with Fabrizio Romano later labelling City’s interest “concrete”. The Guardian’s Jacob Steinberg is another to confirm Man City are serious about Paqueta.
The initial reports in Brazil claimed Paqueta would be open to leaving the Hammers. However, he reportedly hopes West Ham can generate a sizeable profit from his sale. Paqueta cost a hefty £51m (including future add-ons) when plucked from Lyon last summer.
TEAMtalk have now been told a bid of £80m could be the golden number that’ll prompt West Ham to sanction a sale.
What’s more, our transfer insider, Graeme Bailey, told us Paqueta wants out.
Explaining why, Bailey said: “I can confirm that sources close to the player admit that a move away from West Ham is something very much Paqueta is looking at.
“There is no beating around the bush, Paqueta does not enjoying playing for West Ham.
“The belief within the club is that Paqueta inspired their Europa League Conference win at the end of last season in spite of David Moyes, rather than because of him.
“Paqueta wants Champions League football ideally. He is a starter with Brazil and he believes he is capable of much more.
“Man City have now held talks over a deal for Paqueta and whilst West Ham don’t want to sell, the feeling within the club is that if someone gets close to £80m, that could be the price.”
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