A journalist is claiming Man City have just totally moved the goalposts on a deal with West Ham for Lucas Paqueta.
West Ham are facing a very busy summer with six players out of contract and Lucas Paqueta expected to leave for Man City.
That’s not to mention the fact the Hammers already need at least four quality signings as it is.
West Ham fans are loathe to lose one of their leading players two summers in a row.
But Man City links to Paqueta refuse to go away.
It is one of football’s worst kept secrets that Hammers talisman Paqueta almost joined Manchester City last summer.
Man City still on Paqueta’s tail ahead of expected summer bid
A deal was all but agreed between the two clubs at Paqueta’s reported release clause of £85m. But it collapsed when betting accusations were made against the West Ham talisman, which he vehemently denies.
That investigation is still hanging over Paqueta and his people are said to be pushing for a conclusion so he can complete a move to Man City.
Transfer insider Graeme Bailey reported recently that Manchester City are more determined than ever to sign West Ham’s playmaker in the summer.
If the case against the former Flamengo, AC Milan and Lyon man is settled then that seems inevitable with Man City star Bernardo Silva looking set for a £50m move to Barcelona.
French outlet Foot Mercato have since reported that Man City have already unofficially agreed personal terms with Paqueta on a long-term contract ‘with the transfer fee likely to be agreed in the summer’.
Man City move the goalposts on deal with West Ham
Well now it seems the games have begun over the fee. And it just so happens to coincide with Paqueta’s costly dip in form at the worst possible time for West Ham.
Because a journalist has claimed Man City have totally moved the goalposts on a deal with West Ham for Paqueta.
French journalist Santi Aouna was one of the first to report on Paqueta’s move from Lyon to West Ham.
Now he has stated on Foot Mercato that the reigning Premier League champions want West Ham to lower the fee for one of Brazil’s star players if they are to do a deal.
“According to our new indiscretions, Manchester City is still discussing with the management of the Hammers to reduce the price demanded by the London club,” Aouna claims.
“Indeed, even if the Brazilian has a release clause of 85 million pounds (100 million euros) in his contract which binds him until June 2027 to West Ham, the Cityzens are doing everything to lower this amount.
‘The negotiations are complicated but continuing’
“Breaking this clause would only be the last resort for the Sky Blues who hope to be able to save a few million on this file considered a priority. The negotiations, announced as complicated, are continuing in any case.”
This will be the last thing David Sullivan and Tim Steidten want to hear.
West Ham will be heavily reliant on the money raised by the Paqueta sale in order to rebuild the side around young, hungry stars picked out by ‘pearl diver’ Steidten.
The Hammers cannot be held to ransom and must dig their heels in regardless.
But players have made West Ham’s life difficult in the past when it comes to getting proper value for them, notably Dimitri Payet and Marko Arnautovic to name but two.