Manchester City target ‘unsettled’ as Pep Guardiola steps up pursuit after significant Kevin De Bruyne blow

Lucas Paqueta has been left unsettled as Manchester City plan to intensify their pursuit of the West Ham midfielder, as per reports.

The 25-year-old has been identified as an ideal replacement for Ilkay Gundogan at the Etihad Stadium after the German joined Barcelona on a free transfer in June.

Manchester City have already signed Mateo Kovacic and Josko Gvardiol this summer and are looking to make a few more additions before the transfer window closes on September 1.

City saw an initial verbal approach worth £70 million rejected by West Ham for Paqueta, who has two years left on his contract and has a release clause worth £85 million that kicks in next summer.

The treble winners are in negotiations with the Hammers for the Brazil international, whose head has been turned by the prospect of linking up with Pep Guardiola in the north-west.

Personal terms are believed to have been agreed upon between City and the midfielder, who started in West Ham’s Premier League opener against Bournemouth on Saturday.

The Daily Mail report that despite getting their opening £70 million offer rejected, there is a confidence that a bid worth £80 million would make the deal happen.

Moreover, as per Jason Burt of The Telegraph, Manchester City’s interest has left Paqueta unsettled but West Ham believe that the European champions remain short of their valuation of the Brazilian.

City will step up their pursuit of Paqueta in the coming days after learning that Kevin De Bruyne will spend up to four months on the sidelines after coming off with a hamstring injury in his side’s 3-0 win against Burnley last week.