Premier League club ‘likely’ to accept £80 million Man City transfer offer as Pep Guardiola eyes second summer signing

Manchester City could secure the signature of West Ham star Lucas Paqueta this summer, should Pep Guardiola’s side renew interest in the midfielder.

The 26-year-old looked set to move from the London Stadium to the Etihad Stadium last summer after Manchester City and West Ham agreed an £80 million deal, however a proposed switch dramatically collapsed due to a bombshell investigation.

A major probe by the FA and FIFA related to a number of bets scuppered any potential transfer, as an investigation was launched into irregular bets placed in Brazil.

Paqueta, who has an £85 million release clause which becomes active in 2024, moved to West Ham from Lyon for a club-record £51 million in 2022 – helping the Hammers to UEFA Europa Conference League glory last season.

The Brazilian is sidelined due to injury but has been directly involved in seven Premier League goals in 18 appearances during the current campaign.

Paqueta was directly involved in 12 goals in 41 appearances for David Moyes’ side last campaign, so could exceed his tally from the previous season.

Those figures could tempt Manchester City to reignite their interest in the midfielder, with the Sky Blues linked with a number of targets and expected to add to their midfield during the summer transfer window.

Football Insider claim that West Ham are ‘likely’ to accept an offer from Manchester City this summer for Paqueta, should Pep Guardiola choose to sign the 28-year-old, subject to the outcome of the current investigation.

West Ham will ‘soon’ discover the outcome of the investigation into alleged betting breaches, with the probe reportedly close to completion.

City are ‘still keen’ to sign the Brazil international this summer, and are ‘unlikely’ to face resistance from east London, should the Blues meet the Hammers’ transfer valuation.

Kalvin Phillips could be used as part of a transfer deal, with the England midfielder currently on loan at the London Stadium until the end of the current campaign following a January move away from Manchester City.

City have also been linked with Bayern Munich midfielder Joshua Kimmich, and are also set to sign fellow Brazilian Savio from within the City Football Group.